Ancient DNA and Proteomics

Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

Biological and Environmental Sciences

Learning Methods

Lecture

Workshop

Module Offerings

7752SALGY-SEP-CTY

Aims

During the last decade, the development of ancient DNA methodologies has enabled the sequencing of thousands of genomes from archaeological human remains. This data has profoundly transformed our understanding of past population movements and produced crucial information for answering long-standing questions in archaeology.
This module is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the key findings in the Ancient DNA and Proteomics fields, what kind of information can be obtained from Ancient DNA, and issues and limitations surrounding DNA preservation and recovery.
A large component of this module is focused on the laboratory and computational methods involved in the generation, processing and analysis of Ancient DNA data.
The students will have the opportunity to acquire skills and experience in various computational/bioinformatics techniques. These include evaluating Ancient DNA sample preservation and authenticity, determining the sex of ancient human remains, characterizing autosomal and uniparental ancestry and jointly interpreting results of genetic analyses with archaeological and anthropological data.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate critical knowledge about the key Ancient DNA and Paleoproteomics findings from the last decade.

Understand what kind of information can be extracted from Ancient DNA sequence data and how it can be used to study past demography and population history.

Understand the main laboratory techniques involved in the sampling and generation of sequence data from ancient human remains.

Analyse Ancient DNA data using a variety of computational methods and interpret the resulting findings.

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:
Topics covered may include:

Ancient DNA as a tool for investigating past migrations and population history;

Overview of the main Ancient DNA findings in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas;

The genetic impact of cultural transition (with a focus on the European Neolithic and Bronze Age periods);

Neanderthal and Denisovan genetics;

Kinship and social organisation;

Paleoproteomics;

DNA preservation and recovery;

Laboratory techniques for Ancient DNA extraction and sequencing;

Computational methods for processing and analysing Ancient DNA and Proteomics data.

Module Overview:
In this module you will acquire critical knowledge about the main ancient DNA findings which have emerged in the last decade. Emphasis will be given to the acquisition of computational skills for the analysis of genetic data, which are in high demand in both academic and industrial settings.

Additional Information:
University of Liverpool Module Code ALGY752

Course Catalogue