This oldest DNA sample discovered in the world. The previous “record” was a million years younger!
The researchers behind this discovery did not themselves expect to unearth such old DNA! By researching ice age sediments collected north of Greenlandpaleogeneticists from the University of Copenhagen discovered a DNA sample 2 million years old, which is a record in this field and a fascinating subject of study!
The oldest DNA discovered
The work that led to this incredible discovery has been published in the scientific journal Nature. It was by analyzing sediments collected in the permafrost of the northeastern tip of Greenland that the researchers succeeded in sequencing this DNA fragment.
After analyzing 41 samples trapped in clay and quartz, they were able to extract this 2 million year old DNA. The previous oldest DNA sample identified so far was “only” 1 million years old!
A unique region in the world
The region in question benefits from an ecosystem that does not exist anywhere else on the globe. “Cape Copenhagen” has been studied since 2006 by researchers. The latter was formed thanks to sediments transported by rivers to the sea. A land mass that eventually emerged from the water regarding 2 million years ago, which makes it unique today .
Its ecosystem today has nothing to do with that of the time. Since the beginning of their work, the teams of Mikkel Winther Pedersen, one of the main authors of the study, have been able to determine by collecting numerous DNA samples that the region was dotted with forest and sheltered species such as mastodons, reindeer and hares and with a large number of different plant species thanks to a climate 11 to 17 degrees warmer at the time.
Understanding Species Adaptation
It is in particular the presence of these mastodons also in the North that interests scientists. This discovery can indeed make it possible to learn more regarding the adaptation of species to significant climate change, but over time.
A major challenge when nowadays, this climate change is much faster, because accelerated by human activity. A situation that can be observed very well in Greenland.
