Bioarch

the process of proving that amplified and analyzed DNA is authentic DNA from ancient remains.

There is no absolute test.

Attempt to exclude all sources of contaiminant DNA.

DNA that is the same or similar to the DNA molecule of interest.

reference specimens, lab technitions, archaeologists, food eated by people, air in building etc.

• change clothes
• use disposable gloves
• use different pre and post PCR labs
• +/- air flow in labs
• steralize specimens and lab

• Positive is used in the aDNA extraction lab. Pushes air out of openings in lab.
• Negative is when the air is pulled in, used in post DNA extraction lab.

• UV irradiation
• positive air pressure
• filtered air
• seperate lab from post extraction

• store in cool dry place (ziploc in a freezer)
• document history of the sample
• only submit one half of it

• When you run the test with nothing in the test tube to see if you are getting contamination.
• Minimizes false positives which are when PCR amplification is obtained despite there not being any aDNA to amplify.

• When you run the test with something you know will work in a test tube to eliminate the possibility of PCR not working.
• Minimizes false negatives which is when PCR amplification does not occur despite DNA being there.

• -presence of PCR inhibitors
• -poor primer design
• -not enough PCR cycles
• -impurity in aDNA sample

contamination

• -can detect and amplify authentic aDNA
• -can amplify contaminant DNA resulting in false positives