The genomes of giant Ice Age animals were reconstructed thanks to a new technique that may advance our understanding of ancient humans.
Scientists used next-generation DNA sequencers to reconstruct the genome of an ancient cave bear and large horse that roamed Earth about 800,000 years ago. The genomes, which contain the mammals’ hereditary information, are ten times older than any others found so far.
“These techniques mean we can study evolutionary pathways and the relationships between long-extinct creatures and their modern counterparts,” said Ludovic Orlando, professor of genetics at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, in Copenhagen.
Read the full, original story here: Genomes From Ice Age Animals Reconstructed With ‘Next-Generation’ Technique
