Neanderthal genome reveals interbreeding with humans

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Neanderthal genome reveals interbreeding with humans

How did they sequence the Neanderthal genome?

Bone contains DNA that survives long after an animal dies. Over time, though, strands of DNA break up, and microbes with their own DNA invade the bone. Pääbo's team found ways around both problems with 38,000 and 44,000-year-old bones recovered in Croatia: they used a DNA sequencing machine that rapidly decodes short strands and came up with ways to get rid of the microbial contamination.

They ended up with short stretches of DNA code that computers stitched into a more complete sequence. This process isn't perfect: Pääbo's team decoded about 5.3 billion letters of Neanderthal DNA, but much of this is duplicates, because – assuming it's the same size as the human genome – the actual Neanderthal genome is only about 3 billion letters long. More than a third of the genome remains unsequenced. "It's pretty darn good for something that's 38,000 years old," says Edward Green, a team member now at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

What did they find?

Any human whose ancestral group developed outside Africa has a little Neanderthal in them – between 1 and 4 per cent of their genome, Pääbo's team estimates. In other words, humans and Neanderthals had sex and had hybrid offspring. A small amount of that genetic mingling survives in "non-Africans" today: Neanderthals didn't live in Africa, which is why sub-Saharan African populations have no trace of Neanderthal DNA.

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[Mike C]

Lol, now if you call somebody a Neanderthal, they may just say thanks for reminding me.

[PaidMyDues]

I think this may explain linebackers.

[ian]

Originally Posted by PaidMyDues

I think this may explain linebackers.

or white people

[PaidMyDues]

Originally Posted by ian

or white people

That is a racist comment.

[Buck503]

Disgusting. Neanderthal puss must've been horrible, like a ham sammich with
hair on it or something.

[ian]

Originally Posted by PaidMyDues

That is a racist comment.

Its alright, Ive got dispensation.

[ian]

Originally Posted by Buck_Nastier

Disgusting. Neanderthal puss must've been horrible, like a ham sammich with
hair on it or something.

You would still do it Buck, I know you would.

[NorthQuad]

Originally Posted by Buck_Nastier

Disgusting. Neanderthal puss must've been horrible, like a ham sammich with
hair on it or something.

I'd hit it.














































Just jokes.

[Buck503]

Originally Posted by ian

You would still do it Buck, I know you would.

I know.

Originally Posted by NorthQuad

I'd lick it.

Just kidding, NQ.