Methods for molecular anthropology and paleogenetics.
DNA extraction, amplification by PCR, molecular cloning, DNA sequencing. Bioinformatics tools.
Human skeletal anatomy. Techniques for the study of human skeletal remains. Restoration. Identification of isolated bones. Age and sex determination. Identification of the main morphological features and determination of the main metrical traits. Skeletal activity patterns. Pathologies.
Chiarelli, B. Dalla Natura alla Cultura Piccin
Canci A. & Minozzi S. 2005. Archeologia dei resti umani. Dallo scavo al laboratorio. Carocci, Roma.
Davi Caramelli 2009. Antropologia Molecolare - Manuale di base. Firenze University Press
David Caramelli & Martina Lari 2004. Il DNA antico: metodi di analisi e applicazioni. Angelo Pontecorboli
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
Basic laboratory methods in human biology and in particular molecular anthropology.
Skeletal anatomy. Methods of restoration of skeletal remains. Methods of study of skeletal remains.
Competence acquired
DNA extraction methods, amplification by PCR, molecular cloning, DNA Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatics software for DNA sequences analyses.
Identification of single bones, also fragments. Assessment of age and sex from skeletal remains. Identification of activity patterns.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Ability to extract and sequencing DNA from both modern and ancient human samples.
Technical skills for restoration of skeletal remains. Analytical skills on diagnostic morphological features.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Courses recommended: anthropology.
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 150
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 100
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 2
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 48
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
3 hour of lessons per week.
Type of Assessment
Each student is evaluated by a written essay on the molecular procedures and by a written final essay on the specimens restored and analyzed during the course. Also an examination before specifically formed commissions.
Course program
Notions of human biology especially, cytogenetics and molecular anthropology. Understanding of basic laboratory methods including DNA isolation, cytogenetics, tissue culture, chromosome preparation and staining. Molecular cytogenetic techniques including PCR, probe preparation, in situ hybridization and microscopy. Reconstruction of karyotypes using classical staining and banding. Mapping of probes to chromosome.
Basic notions of human skeletal anatomy. Lab techniques for the study of human skeletal remains. Restoration. Identification of isolated bones. Age and sex determination. Identification of the main morphological features and determination of the main metrical traits.
Skeletal activity patterns. Pathologies. Basic notions of data management. Basic notions of molecular anthropology.