Ancient DNA facilities handle osteological samples from humans and animals and archaeobotanical remains in dedicated cleanroom labs to minimize contamination with modern DNA. Thet extract DNA from the samples and prepare DNA sequencing libraries. We perform quality control on the libraries, and then sequence the DNA. They perform data analysis to extract information on the quality and quantity of ancient DNA in the sample and determine species, sex, maternal ancestry (mitochondrial haplotype). If possible, they also provide additional analysis of ancestry and traits. The facilities are capable of handling substantial amounts of samples, and are an important resource for heritage science in Europe. Our vision is that DNA analysis should be a widely available tool, similar to e.g. Carbon-14 or Strontium analysis. We aim at providing affordable analyses and collaborate with leading researchers in the field to develop our methods.
Fields of application
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Cultural heritage
archaeological object and site, architecture, art, decorative arts, manuscript, musical instrument, sculpture, textile
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Natural heritage
animal product, archaeobotanical remains, botanic collection, fossil, seed, skeleton, taxidermy collection
Materials
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organic
animal parts, paper, textiles, animal bones, animal teeth, human bones, human remains, human teeth, seeds
TOOLS
In a clean-room laboratory dedicated to ancient DNA analysis, an osteological sample is treated to degrade contaminating DNA. Subsequently, a sample is taken and used for DNA extraction. Extracted DNA is used for preparation of DNA sequencing libraries. Quality control is performed on DNA libraries before initiation of DNA sequencing, and on DNA data following...
Provider
SciLifeLab Ancient DNA facilityContact person
Magnus Lundgren
Archaeological materials—including skeletal remains, ancient plant tissues, and sediment—are processed in a dedicated ancient DNA laboratory. DNA is extracted from specimens using methods designed to recover short molecules. The DNA is then converted to Illumina libraries so that it can be sequenced at a commercial facility.