Scientists Plan to Rebuild Neanderthal Genome

New York Times ^ | July 20, 2006 | Nicholas Wade

[CobaltBlue]

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Leipzig, Germany, plan to reconstruct the genome of Neanderthals, the archaic human species that occupied Europe from 300,000 years ago until 30,000 years ago until being displaced by modern humans.

The genome will initially be reconstructed using DNA extracted from Neanderthal bones that are 45,000 years old, which were found in Croatia, though bones from other sites may be analyzed later.

The project is a collaboration between Dr. Svante Paabo of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and 454 Life Sciences, a Connecticut company that has developed a new method of sequencing, or decoding, DNA.

The sequencing of Neanderthal DNA, long a forlorn hope, suddenly seems possible because of a combination of analytic work on ancient DNA by Dr. Paabo and a new kind of DNA sequencing machine developed by 454 Life Sciences.

Because the genome must be kept in constant repair and starts to break up immediately after the death of the cell, the DNA in Neanderthal bones exists in tiny fragments 100 or so units in length. As it happens, this is just the length that works best with the 454 machine, which is also able to decode vast amounts of DNA at low cost.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

I thought the Neanderthals just turned into pro wrestlers : )

[ApplegateRanch]

First thing they'll do is demand reparations for the racist destruction of their species by Homo Sap.

[satchmodog9]

Too late. Helens parents already mastered the project then destroyed their papers in horror. Their cries of "what have we done" still echo their home.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Who knows, but if their built like linebackers and they proposition you then what... EEK!

[BushMeister]

[AFPhys]

This would be a really cool project.

It is going to be interesting to see (if successful) what the genetic differences between modern man and neanderthal man are.

[toddlintown]

Find the cure for cancer first, you morons.

[Coyoteman]

Find the cure for cancer first, you morons.

Different scientists study different things. Is that so hard to understand?

[olde north church]

Could they first explain the reason for better smelling hemorrhoid cream?

[toddlintown]

"Different scientists study different things. Is that so hard to understand?"

And I'm sure you still have your first Tyco chemistry set too.

Who pays for this nonsense?

[Coyoteman]

"Different scientists study different things. Is that so hard to understand?"

And I'm sure you still have your first Tyco chemistry set too.

No.

Who pays for this nonsense?

Read the article. It is being done in Germany.

[theFIRMbss]

>Could they first explain the reason for better smelling hemorrhoid cream?

[toddlintown]

Read your old posts.

Don't get out much?

[blam]

"But do Neanderthal women have red hair, that is the question. ;^)"

Okay, I'll post it.

Redheads 'Are Neanderthals'

[patton]

The level of ignorance on this thread is astounding. These people think that they are the "thinking man". I fart in their general direction.

Homo Neanderthalus "r" us. Those from the other valley.

[diverteach]

Ya beat me to it. Mahmoud Ahdiminajed is a perfect speciman.

[TheHound]

Well maybe, but I seem to remember that the Neanderthals became the Basques.

How the Neanderthals became the Basques

[Fractal Trader]

Genetic Geneology ping

[the invisib1e hand]

they'll be surprised and disappointed ...