Haplo Group

Our research focusses on estimating a population's demography from ancient DNA data (aDNA). We are particularly interested in

1. Developing new computational methods for analyzing aDNA. Specifically, we work on pushing powerful haplotype-based methods towards the low sequencing coverage regime typical for aDNA.
2. Population Genetic analysis of aDNA sequenced at our institute and elsewhere. A special focus is on data from the ancient Mediterranean generated via MHAAM (Max Planck – Harvard Research Center for the Archaeoscience of the Ancient Mediterranean).

We are interested in utilizing the power of IBD segments for demographic inference. These blocks are the genomic signposts of recent genealogical connections between two individuals, they are co-inherited identically from a recent common ancestor. We have a vision based on population genetic arguments that IBD segments hold ample power to infer recent demography, such as rates of mobility and population size trajectories.

However, while such analyses are commonly applied to modern DNA, the low-coverage regime typical of aDNA data is not accessible with standard approaches. Currently, we are working on

1. Detecting IBD in aDNA with specifically developed methods.
2. Turning IBD segments inferred in aDNA into demographic estimates.

This progress will allow us to address key questions about the human past in a completely new way.