A High-Coverage Genome Sequence from an Archaic Denisovan Individual

20122,082 citationsJournal Articlegreen Open Access

Authors

Matthias Meyer · Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Martin Kircher · Max Planck Society

Marie-Theres Gansauge · Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Heng Li · Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fernando Racimo · Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Swapan Mallick · Harvard University

Joshua G. Schraiber

Abstract

We present a DNA library preparation method that has allowed us to reconstruct a high-coverage (30×) genome sequence of a Denisovan, an extinct relative of Neandertals. The quality of this genome allows a direct estimation of Denisovan heterozygosity indicating that genetic diversity in these archaic hominins was extremely low. It also allows tentative dating of the specimen on the basis of "missing evolution" in its genome, detailed measurements of Denisovan and Neandertal admixture into present-day human populations, and the generation of a near-complete catalog of genetic changes that swept to high frequency in modern humans since their divergence from Denisovans.

Topics & Keywords

Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology Forensic and Genetic Research Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 338, Issue 6104, pp. 222-226

DOI: 10.1126/science.1224344

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 748.12

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A High-Coverage Genome Sequence from an Archaic Denisovan Individual

Authors

Abstract

Topics & Keywords

Publication Details