Antik DNA Calismalari ve Tuerkiye/Ancient DNA Studies and Turkey

The studies on ancient DNA (aDNA) from archaeological and paleontological remains make it possible to get genetic data from the past. aDNA data provide new insights in many research areas like phylogeny, population genetics and origins of domestication. Despite the technological advances in the last decade, contamination and DNA degradation still remain as two main problems in the field. Turkey and Near East are important aDNA resources as principal domestication centres of livestock animal. But the climatic conditions of this region are disadvantageous for preservation of ancient samples and aDNA molecules. The comparison of the samples from Europe and Near East indicate the impact of the environment on aDNA data. By means of the new methods of isolation, amplification and sequencing improved in recent years, the negative effects of the problems on results can be decreased and high amounts of data can be obtained. The progress of aDNA studies in Turkey would make an important contribution to the knowledge of evolutionary biology and origins of domestication.