Ancient DNA in the study of ancient disease

Anne C. Stone, Andrew T. Ozga

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The study of ancient disease can now include direct analyses of all or part of the genomes of pathogens through ancient DNA techniques. Such analyses are challenging since due to several factors including preservation, pathogen load and location in the body, environmental microbial contamination, and current understanding of microbial pathogenicity. When successful, ancient DNA analyses have provided insight into the evolutionary history of a number of human and animal pathogens. In addition, recent microbiome analyses have shed light on how cultural and environmental changes have altered microbial profiles across the human body and impacted host health. In this chapter, we summarize the history and current state of the field as well as posit future directions for research associated with the study of ancient disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationOrtner's Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains
PublisherElsevier
Pages183-210
Number of pages28
ISBN (Electronic)9780128097380
ISBN (Print)9780128099018
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019

Keywords

  • Ancient DNA
  • Bacteria
  • Disease
  • Microbiome
  • Parasites
  • Pathogen evolution
  • Viruses

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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