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Setting Up an Ancient DNA Laboratory

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Ancient DNA

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1963))

Abstract

Entering into the world of ancient DNA research is nontrivial. Because the DNA in most ancient specimens is degraded to some extent, the potential is high for contamination of ancient samples, ancient DNA extracts, and genomic sequencing libraries prepared from these extracts with non-degraded DNA from the present-day environment. To minimize the risk of contamination in ancient DNA environments, experimental protocols specific to handling ancient specimens, including those that outline the design and layout of laboratory space, have been introduced. Here, we outline challenges associated with working with ancient samples, including providing guidelines for setting up a new ancient DNA laboratory. We also discuss steps that can be taken at the sample collection and preparation stage to minimize the potential for contamination of ancient DNA experiments with exogenous sources of DNA.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Tara L. Fulton

  2. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

    Beth Shapiro

Authors
  1. Tara L. Fulton
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  2. Beth Shapiro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beth Shapiro .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

    Beth Shapiro

  2. Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Axel Barlow

  3. Tromsø University Museum, UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Peter D. Heintzman

  4. Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Michael Hofreiter

  5. Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Johanna L. A. Paijmans

  6. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    André E. R. Soares

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Fulton, T.L., Shapiro, B. (2019). Setting Up an Ancient DNA Laboratory. In: Shapiro, B., Barlow, A., Heintzman, P., Hofreiter, M., Paijmans, J., Soares, A. (eds) Ancient DNA. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1963. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9176-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9176-1_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9175-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9176-1

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