ANCIENT DNA RESEARCH: ONGOING CHALLENGES AND CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Life gave rise on our planet 3-4 billion years ago and since then, living organisms (from one cell tomulticellular organisms) have undergone many genetic, phenotypic and communal changes. Scientistshave been able to shed light on only a small part of this evolutionary process, but with the developmentof new techniques our knowledge is expanding day by day. For the past 30 years ancient DNA studieshave aided us in understanding the molecular basis of the changes observed in living organisms. AncientDNA (aDNA) is the genetic material obtained from biological remains (bones, teeth, plant seeds, etc.)acquired from archaeological and paleontological excavations. In the present review, molecular studiescarried out to date, contributions of ancient DNA to medical sciences, as well as basic problemsencountered in obtaining and using aDNA have been discussed.