Metagenomics to Paleogenomics: Large-Scale Sequencing of Mammoth DNA

 Metagenomics to Paleogenomics: Large-Scale Sequencing of Mammoth DNA

  

 Most endogenous DNA that is extracted from fossils is fragmented and often times too contaminated to isolate. The genes focused on were on the maternally inherited mitochondrial genome. Environments with large amounts of permafrost preserve specimens in as low as -10 degrees C. Due to reduced reaction rates permafrost may be able to help DNA fragments survive up to 1 million years. Using a wooly mammoth sample from Siberia scientists were able to sequence 28 million base pairs of DNA. About 45.4% of the base pairs were identified as mammoth using emulsion polymerase chain reaction, pyrosequencing technique and endogenous DNA from a single mammoth from the 'ice cave' in Khatanga. Using PCR to find nuclear DNA is difficult in fossils because PCR must target known sequences from specific genes. The samples taken from the mammoth were screened with quantitative PCR that was designed specifically for the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. It was designed with primers in order to amplify mitochondrial DNA from African and Asian elephants. There were eight samples taken each ranged from 1 x10^6 copies per gram to 96 x 19 ^6 copies per gram. One specimen from the Taimyr area dated back to 27,740 ± 220 14C years prior to discovery. Findings like these have prompted the creation of Pleistocene park. A geoengineering plan that aims to address the problem of climate change. Its an attempt to bring back the grasslands of the Mammoth Steppe ecosystem along with some extinct animals, including mammoths. The idea that having these animals back would slow the thawing of artic permafrost.                         

This Just In: Study Shows That Boys are Stupider

A recent article published in the New York Times explored the correlation between being male and dying by falling into natural traps.  This study was conducted by multiple universities around the world on woolly mammoths from Siberia and South Dakota.  The study consisted of analyzing genes to determine gender.  In order to make sure that the results were precise and accurate, the researchers analyzed the genes from bones, teeth and tusks.  All results concluded that more than half of the woolly mammoths that died were male.  All the woolly mammoths were found buried on what was described as "natural traps."  Once males hit maturity between the ages of 14-16, they would leave their mothers and either wander off alone or find a newly made group consisting of young males that had just hit maturity.  Scientists hypothesized that the large number of male mammoths that died was a result of the young males being inexperienced and finding themselves in dangerous situations without the help of their experienced mother.  These studies did not analyze other parts of the mammoths' genomes, which could possibly be the study's largest downfall.  By omitting the analysis of other genes, the researchers cannot be as certain as they can be that these deaths were solely based on the lack of experience in young males.  This research is very important in arguments with men and boys because it allows women to cite their sources and have a scientific basis for their arguments.  Men and boys, on the other hand, do not have scientific evidence for anything.  Because their men and boys, and look where that got these woolly mammoths. Here is another article from a different news outlet that is reporting on the same research so you all know that I'm not lying about this.