Ancient DNA analysis to investigate the history of malaria and malaria genetic adaptations in Europe

Summary

Historical records and epidemiological studies can be a wealth of information about ancient diseases, nevertheless in some cases DNA evidence is also needed. The data showing high frequencies of malaria genetic adaptations (MGA) in modern and historical populations testify to the presence of malaria in the past along the Mediterranean coast. However, neither modern epidemiological data nor historical records can explain the differences in MGA frequencies that we observe in some regions. Analyzing the DNA of individuals who inhabited these areas in the past can help better understanding the history and evolution of malaria and its genetic adaptations in Europe. In this study, samples from three European regions with different malaria history and genetic resistance correlation have been analyzed: Sardinia, former endemic malaria island with presently high frequency of MGA, Corsica, with a similar history of endemic malaria but a low frequency of genetic resistances and Switzerland, historically a non-endemic malaria country with low frequency of MGA. Protocols to detect Plasmodium sp. DNA, G6PD A- and β-Thalassemia were designed and optimized and ancient G6PD and beta-globin sequences were recovered from skeletons over the last 2000 years. Here we present the methods used and the preliminary data obtained.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage