Document Type
Poster Session
Department
Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor
Daniel Moore, PhD
Keywords
DNA, ancient humans, neanderthal
Abstract
Our modern physiology is the mixture of many archaic humans that once roamed our planet. The evidence of these archaic humans is still present in our DNA. This poster reviews how our understanding of ancient human genetics has drastically changed due to advances in molecular genetics. Neanderthal and Denisovan remains have been sequenced for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Neanderthal and Denisovan genetic ancestry have been identified by genomic studies in modern human populations across Eurasia and Pacific Island regions. Studies have shown a gene flow of 4±1% from Neanderthals to present-day Eurasians. Whereas, Papuan and Melanesian individuals share 4±0.7% more Denisovan alleles than other individuals studied. Neanderthal and Denisovan alleles have been linked to innate immunity. Neanderthal alleles have been linked to speech and environmental adaptations in modern humans. Neanderthal and Denisovan genes present in modern day humans continue to shape our biology. The study of our ancestors provides new insights about their influence in human genomic diversity.
Open Access?
1
Included in
Archaeological Anthropology Commons, Biological and Physical Anthropology Commons, Biology Commons, Genetics Commons
The Genetic Links between Archaic and Modern Humans
Our modern physiology is the mixture of many archaic humans that once roamed our planet. The evidence of these archaic humans is still present in our DNA. This poster reviews how our understanding of ancient human genetics has drastically changed due to advances in molecular genetics. Neanderthal and Denisovan remains have been sequenced for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Neanderthal and Denisovan genetic ancestry have been identified by genomic studies in modern human populations across Eurasia and Pacific Island regions. Studies have shown a gene flow of 4±1% from Neanderthals to present-day Eurasians. Whereas, Papuan and Melanesian individuals share 4±0.7% more Denisovan alleles than other individuals studied. Neanderthal and Denisovan alleles have been linked to innate immunity. Neanderthal alleles have been linked to speech and environmental adaptations in modern humans. Neanderthal and Denisovan genes present in modern day humans continue to shape our biology. The study of our ancestors provides new insights about their influence in human genomic diversity.
