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Subject: Re: [DNA] Does Sardinia hold the key to the debate about NeolithicorPaleolithic dispersal of R-M269?.
Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 09:46:49 +0200 (CEST)
References: <868513.40413.qm@web81103.mail.mud.yahoo.com><440908FA-40B1-4EAB-96C6-944BCDB9F02E@vizachero.com><AANLkTikARWP7xvxuGdeyHkWJYNycuxh2VI7mzoh-EQnn@mail.gmail.com><549819939.20100526235506@electronicbox.net><194D34D647CD411FA276678619D6C569@john>
In-Reply-To: <194D34D647CD411FA276678619D6C569@john>
On Thu, 27 May 2010, Alister John Marsh wrote:
> The first question to be considered I suggest is what does it cost to
> process an ancient DNA sample? That might have a lot of different answers.
> Some suggestions, starting from the lower cost end and rising....
> 2) FTDNA might be interested to "play" with a few dated archaeological
> specimens if we could get them for them. Thomas is a fellow who is
> curious,... would he have time to try a few SNP tests using their standard
> primers? Even if FTDNA charged twice or ten times normal SNP test prices to
> give this a try, I have a feeling some of the opposing parties on this list
> might donate something towards an attempt to settle the debate.
> Thomas, if I could get you as a starting point, say a 1,000 year old tooth
> to experiment with, would you be prepared to "give it a go"? What sort of
> cost would encourage you to try a low tech approach, using your normal
Hmm.
Some events coincide out of our wishes.
On Monday Thomas sent me results of tests of three samples I sent to FTDNA
just on the beginning of this year. This samples came from the rescue
archeological excavations around Prague. The estimated ages are:
10th-12th, 12th and 17th century.
For several years I am trying to make our archeologists to save samples
for DNA testing and almost everytime I got just fired. Finally last year
I met one young archeologist - antropologist who was so silly that he agreed
and provided us about twenty teeths.
>From them our forensic laboratory got (in the frame of the project
"Genetics and Surnames") four Y-DNA resuls by a standard Yfiler tests.
Three of them I sent to Thomas for standard FTDNA tests for STRs and SNPs.
I paid the FTDNA tests personally, neither institutions nor companies were
involved.
And now we have from 28 to 44 STR markers and three SNPs (two +, one -).
Results will be displayed in the "Old DNA" sections on the Czech DNA
Database at Genebáze <http://www.genebaze.cz/cgi-bin/cyd.cgi?lang=us&n=cz>;
as other old DNA info is.
The old DNA is VERY fragmented, many tests just fail on the fact that
primers are not found. One cannot expect anything. The sample with the
biggest amount of the material and thus the most promising successed only
in one (and alas negative) SNP.
On the other side Thomas has found one new SNP.
The tests were expensive from my point of view (and pray for me that
my wife will not get to know it ;-)), but I do not regret it and I am
prepared to make next ones.
Summarized:
The most difficult task is sample assembly. Standard archeological
approach oppress any DNA remaining in excavated bones and teeths. If you
have it, know that you need people experienced in old DNA and I am very
proud I have a good relations with Prague's forensic experts. Some labs
got nothing because a test of old DNA is NOT a standard genographic test.
And even if you have DNA experts, be prepared that most tests just fail.
Thomas may say.
Ludvik Urban,
The Czech DNA Database at Genebáze
Prague
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