UGI Seminars and Events Publication Facebook logo  Tuesday 12
March, 1–2pm, Dr Garrett Hellenthal, ‘Identifying and dating
historical admixture events in humans using DNA’  4 March 2013
Gavin de Beer LT, Anatomy Building, UCL   We describe a new
method that uses DNA to identify historical events that have
shaped present-day populations. In particular, the approach
exploits modern large-scale genetic collections to unearth times
in the past where two or more genetically distinct groups
interacted and exchanged DNA. The method dates precisely when
such events occurred, characterizes the amount of DNA exchange,
and describes the genetic composition of the (perhaps extinct)
groups involved.  We highlight the model’s advantages over
currently available techniques in the field, including its
improved parameter estimation and the additional information it
contributes beyond any available methods. Our inference, based
entirely on DNA, provides a powerful complement to
anthropological resources, helping to resolve ex