Nondestructive DNA Sampling Method of Human Teeth

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

DNA acquisition from skeletal remains reveals a wealth of information that observational analysis alone does not offer. Researchers can glean an individual’s ancestry, lineage, and biological sex and review genetic diversity. However, most current methods require some form of destruction to extract genetic material, which can dissuade entities (museum curators, living and descendant communities) from allowing this research to occur. The damage caused by destructive extraction methods can also limit additional DNA research. This study has developed and refined a nondestructive method for extracting DNA from human teeth to address these concerns and encourage future genetic research. Using nontoxic materials, the resulting tooth will also remain nontoxic, unlike in many other protocols. This project will build upon the nondestructive DNA extraction method established by Essel et al. (2021, 2023) using sodium phosphate buffer (0.5M), amicon ultra-4 centrifugal filter (with ultracel-3 membrane), and a purification step to obtain a single-stranded extract. However, the application and utility of this method on human remains and the resultant ability to obtain useable genetic material have not been completed, and the methods have been adapted to typical anthropological genetics downstream applications. The results have implications for forensic and ancient genetic contexts.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38297.0