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An international team of researchers including Murdoch’s molecular biology and biotechnology lecturer Dr Michael Bunce has published a report in the journal Science showing ancient DNA from ice cores can yield valuable information about past environments.
DNA from deep ice cores under the Greenland icecap, dating back more than 450,000 years, revealed Greenland – now lying below kilometres of thick ice – was once inhabited by a diverse array of conifer trees and insects.
Dr Bunce said low temperatures below the ice meant the DNA has been well preserved – and is some of the oldest DNA to be isolated to date.
“The research is fascinating as it demonstrates that preserved DNA from plants, animals, insects and bacteria that died hundreds of thousands of years ago can aid in our understanding of how the earth’s environment has changed over time,” Dr Bunce said.
The team identified and dated genetic sequences from coniferous trees, butterflies, beetles and a variety of other boreal forest plants.
“These were traces of ancient forests which could have covered southern Greenland perhaps as far back as 800,000 years ago,” Mike said.
More drilling is planned to expand the study.
Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.
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