Head lice on humans can preserve ancient DNA - study
DNA of ancient Argentinian mummies was extracted from a cement-like substance used by lice in the distant past to glue their eggs to human hair.
Head lice (photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)
Head lice could be the key to a better understanding of the history and lives of ancient humans in South America, according to a new study released on Tuesday and led by the University of Reading.
DNA
of ancient Argentinian mummies was extracted from a cement-like
substance used by lice in the distant past to glue their eggs to human
hair.
The study was published in the Molecular Biology and Evolution
journal by University of Reading scientists who worked in collaboration
with the National University of San Juan, Bangor University, the Oxford
University Museum of Natural History and the University of Copenhagen.
The DNA extracted from the human remains, which date from
1,500-2,000 years ago, was of better quality than DNA recovered through
any other method and has revealed clues about pre-Columbian human
migration patterns within South America, according to the University of
Reading.
According
to the researchers, the preservation of human DNA within the lice's
"cement" is possible due to skin cells becoming encased in the
substance, which was produced by female lice to attach their eggs to the
human scalp.
Human DNA Strand (credit: LIAT LOMBROZO)
The
scientists were able to closely analyze the DNA samples extracted and
come to amazing conclusions, due to the well-preserved nature of the
DNA.
For example,
the scientists were able to determine the sex of each of the human
hosts. In addition, they found a genetic link between the DNA and humans
living in Amazonia 2,000 years ago, meaning that the human remains most
likely migrated from northern South America down to the land which is
now Argentina.
This new method of DNA extraction could potentially allow many more unique samples to be studied from human remains when bone and tooth samples are unavailable.
"We have shown that our genetic information can be preserved by the
sticky substance produced by headlice on our hair," said University of
Reading's Dr. Alejandra Perotti, who led the research.
"In
addition to genetics, lice biology can provide valuable clues about how
people lived and died thousands of years ago. Head lice have
accompanied humans throughout their entire existence, so this new method
could open the door to a goldmine of information about our ancestors
while preserving unique specimens."
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