In this article scientist were able to reconstruct an entire genome taken from ancient skeletons to find information about the Black Death. DNA was taken from teeth of plague victims buried in London over 600 years ago. The DNA was then used to recreate the genome. The study showed that the medieval bacteria has remained unchanged compared to modern day strain. The German and Canadian scientists who constructed the study believe that the bacteria is Yersinia pestis, which is the ancestor to all circulating bacteria. Scientists had to sequenced the DNA first to create a genome. When they did this they found that increase of virulence of the bacteria during the Black Death that showed that not only was the there genetics factors but also environmental factors. Famine and poor living conditions help the disease to spread rapidly.
This study is expected to begin a new era of infectious disease research, according to lead scientist Dr. Hendrik Poinar of McMaster University of Canada.
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