Researchers Extract Complete Human Genome from Ancient Chewing Gum
via SlashGear
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have announced something very interesting. The scientists have been able to extract a complete human genome from birch pitch that was chewed like gum by an ancient human that lived 5,700 years ago. The team says that this is the first time that a complete human genome has been extracted from birch pitch.
The discovery opens the door to using birch pitch as an untapped source for ancient human genome material. The leader of the research team, Hannes Schroeder, said that this is the first time that an entire ancient human genome has been extracted from anything other than bone.