| Project Detail |
Sedimentary ancient DNA (SedaDNA) is DNA associated with non-recent sediments. SedaDNA are found to persist in the environment for geologically relevant timescales and have gained significant popularity for palaeoecological reconstructions and unravelling past biodiversity. Free DNA molecules degrade within days to weeks in the environment due exposure to nucleases, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations and slow spontaneous hydrolysis. The adsorption of DNA to mineral surfaces in sediments appear to preserve DNA molecules, but we do still not understand how mineralogy and soil and sediment conditions affect DNA retention, preservation and recovery. With more quantitative knowledge of DNA-mineral interactions, we can better address the preservation potential in a deposit, unravel the source area of the extracted DNA and develop extraction protocols that provide a higher yield. It is known that the DNA-mineral affinity and adsorption strength vary across mineral and environmental conditions and a strong DNA-mineral association can be speculated to offer a greater preservation potential in contrast to a week DNA-mineral interaction where there would be available bonds for participation in the degradation process. It is also unclear how co-adsorbed biomolecules influence sedaDNA retention and preservation. The aim of MinDNA is to obtain insights into the mechanisms and processes affecting DNA stability on mineral surfaces. MinDNA will take a multidisciplinary approach to obtain quantitative bond parameters, adsorption and degradation measures at the bulk and molecular level as well as performing molecular and bulk level in situ experiments to understand the dynamics of the reactions. Further, the chemistry and nature of the interacting bonds will be quantified using novel FTIR techniques. The gained knowledge will be combined into a conceptual model that can be used by a broad range of researchers to advance the resolution and scope of SedaDNA applications. |
