Ancient DNA course

Daniel Wegmann of our ADAPT network, together with Zuzana Hofmanová and Laurent Excoffier organized the course Ancient DNA: A Time-machine to Study Evolution which was held in beautiful Leukerbad (https://goo.gl/bm1yS5). The workshop was aimed at students in evolutionary biology that are using or are planning to use genetic data, and in particular ancient DNA, for their research. It was thus an opportunity for the ADAPT network to support this important training component for postgraduate or early career post-doctoral students.

Here, Isabel Alves, an early career post-doc at the University of Nantes, reflects on her experience of the course:

The course “Ancient DNA: a time machine to study evolution” held in the  beautiful location of Leukerbad in the Swiss Alps and jointly organised by the University of Fribourg and the University of Bern provided me  with a comprehensive picture of the current status of the field. The course included a series of research talks focused on the analysis  of ancient DNA to shed light on the evolution of organisms ranging from  humans to protists giving a wide perspective on the scientific questions  that can possibly be addressed through the use of fossil DNA, the most  consensual sequencing technologies and technical concerns. Furthermore,  the course encompassed a round of talks focused on future developments  of the field with respect to evolutionary-related questions, theoretical  problems and technical issues that remain to be addressed. The  organization of the course promoted active interactions between  participants and speakers leading to very insightful debates. Therefore,  by attending this course I learned about the state of the art of ancient  DNA studies, which will surely contribute to the successful development  of the projects I am involved in.