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Department of Evolutionary Genetics

Director: Prof. Dr. Svante Pääbo

The Department of Evolutionary Genetics studies the genetic history of humans, apes and other organisms. We are interested in both the forces that affect the genome directly, such as mutation and recombination, and in the effects of selection and population history.

The department consists of four tenured faculty members: Svante Pääbo, Mark Stoneking, Janet Kelso and Matthias Meyer; and two non-tenured members: Ben Peter and Benjamin Vernot. 

Genome Projects

The Department of Evolutionary Genetics has been working on a number of genome sequencing projects. Researchers of the department have sequenced and analyzed Neandertal genomes, a Denisovan genome and a bonobo genome.

News

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Unearthing ancient social structures with sediment DNA

Evolutionary Genetics

An ERC Consolidator Grant was awarded to Benjamin Vernot, leader of the Max Planck Research Group for Ancient…

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Probing the deep genetic structure of Africa

Evolutionary Genetics

DNA research from human populations thought to be uncontactable or extinct helps probe the deep genetic…

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Increased efficiency, precision and reliability in DNA editing

Evolutionary Genetics

New method brings breakthrough in the precise introduction of mutations in human genomes

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