Denisovan Genome Sequenced from Bone Found in Siberian Cave
A 2010 draft version of the study revealed that the small fragment of a human finger bone was from an individual of a previously unknown extinct human
Using newly developed techniques, the scientists have now been able to sequence every position of the Denisovan genome approximately 30 times over.
In contrast, with the draft version, which sequenced each position only twice on average, the new results have a much higher resolution. This high quality data allows much more detailed research in the evolution of the
genus species, detecting even the small differences that were inherited from this individuals mother and father.
Not only is it the first sequencing of an extinct human
genus species, due to the new technology, it also has less errors than the current results of the sequencing of modern humans.
Today the group will make the entire Denisovan genome sequence freely available over the internet.
Entire genome of extinct human decoded from fossil [physorg.com via Tim Morgan]