Ancient DNA at Yale University

We investigate the evolutionary history of modern and extinct human populations using ancient DNA.

Our focus is to retrieve and sequence DNA from archaeological materials to study the peopling of the world, the history of human health and their adaptation to different environments and lifestyle conditions.

Research

Peopling of the World

We generate genome wide data from ancient bones and sediments in different locations that have been inhabited by humans throughout history and link different ancient human lineages to specific temporal and geographic locations and environments.

The goal is to uncover genealogical relationships, migration routes, diversification events and genetic admixtures that shaped present-day human diversity.

We are combining DNA data from archaeological bones and sediments to generate high resolution time series ancient genetic data from different point through time in space with a particular focus on under-sampled regions of the world such as East Eurasia or Africa.

Adaptation

Modern human successfully spread across the world and colonized tropical to arctic, high to low altitudes environments and adapted to different lifestyles.

This success relied on new mutations, standing genetic variations, or introgressed variations through admixture between different human groups including archaic Neanderthals and Denisovans.

We use ancient DNA from archaeological bones and sediments to investigate the origin of genetic variants targeted by selection and their association with adaptations to lifestyles and environments.

Our goal is to link presence, absence and frequencies changes of specific allele to specific events in historic and prehistoric time and uncover details about the history of human health and the origins and evolution of several adaptative traits.

Adaptation

Modern human successfully spread across the world and colonized tropical to arctic, high to low altitudes environments and adapted to different lifestyles.

This success relied on new mutations, standing genetic variations, or introgressed variations through admixture between different human groups including archaic Neanderthals and Denisovans.

We use ancient DNA from archaeological bones and sediments to investigate the origin of genetic variants targeted by selection and their association with adaptations to lifestyles and environments.

Our goal is to link presence, absence and frequencies changes of specific allele to specific events in historic and prehistoric time and uncover details about the history of human health and the origins and evolution of several adaptative traits.

Methods for Ancient DNA

Past organisms left traces of their DNA in their environment which can be preserved from hundred thousand of years in sediments, independent of their physical remains.

The use of archaeological sediment as source of ancient DNA allows to generate genetic data of human and other organisms at sites and in regions where bone remains are not found, are rare, or cannot be accessed.

Our goal is to develop state of the art genetic and genomic approaches to better understand the factors that impact DNA preservation in different type of archaeological material (with a particular emphasis on sediment) and expand the use of sediment DNA for palaeogenetic research.

Publications

Team

Assistant Professor of Genetics

Diyendo Massilani

I have always been curious about ...

…the diversity of traits in present-day people, which led to my fascination with the genetic mechanisms of heredity and their influence on human features.

Throughout my scientific and personal journey across Gabon, France, Germany, and the US, I have integrated diverse cultural, social, and political perspectives, continually fueling my determination to explore the evolution of humankind through the study of DNA-the key to our individuality and shared humanity.

Postdoctoral Associate

Joanna H. Bonczarowska

Since I can remember, ...

… I have been curious about the human experience – unique to everyone yet shared by many. This led me to pursue various avenues of research on the forces that shape it.

I am particularly fascinated by the vast amount of information preserved within the human skeleton. In its nature, bone is a direct window into the person’s life journey and the evolutionary journey of humankind.

In my research, I utilize molecular and osteological methods to study disease, pathogen evolution and the effects of historical epidemics on human immunity. I also have been active in forensic anthropology, focusing on sex estimation methods and skeletal development.

Postdoctoral Associate

Michael James Boyle

I use ancient DNA from sediments …

… of archaeological sites to reconstruct early human population history. Sediments also contain DNA from other organisms, revealing the composition of ancient ecological communities and providing insight into the environment of early humans.

 

My research also explores how changes in the frequency of DNA sequence variants, potentially in response to changes in the environment, shaped human adaptation and impacted our traits.

Postdoctoral Associate

Shahar Silverman

Before coming to Yale, ...

… I conducted research on bacterial defense mechanisms and the microbiome.

I’m very interested in host-pathogen interactions, and how pathogens drive their hosts’ evolution. I am excited to learn about ancient DNA research and to apply my background in Microbiology to this field.

Postgraduate Associate

Edward Habeck IV

My undergraduate research involved ...

… analyzing bacterial taxa in soils and skeletal material to study the microbial composition of archaeological proveniences and ancient human microbiomes.

I am fascinated by humans as reflections of our environment, particularly how our lifestyle, behavioral, and physiological adaptations provide us with the distinctive resilience and diversity that characterizes our species.

Ancient DNA is an incredible resource for reconstructing past lives and experiences, and every fragment acts as a unique component of our evolutionary puzzle.

My foremost goal is to pursue a PhD with direct emphasis on ancient DNA, and I dream of contributing to our understanding of what it means to be human.

I’m thrilled to be a member of the Massilani Lab at Yale, and I hold immense gratitude for the opportunity to delve into my greatest interest.

CT-Space Grant Intern

Rebecca Pereira Sousa

I am a student with an interest in ...

…pursuing a career in the genetics field. As a second-generation immigrant and first-generation college student I am elated to be able to explore and grow in my academic journey.

Understanding the endless functionality and evolution of human genetics is something I find deeply fascinating and is one of the main factors that drove my decision to change my career path from Illustration to Science.

It is an honor to get the opportunity to explore unknown spaces, such as the inner workings of Ancient DNA studied here in Dr. Massilani’s lab.

My experience working in the lab has taught me to find the silver lining in even the most difficult situations and this newfound perseverance will help me find success in all my pursuits.

Yale Pathways Research Intern

Eleanor Law

This is my first experience ...

…in a lab environment, and I am learning new things about biology and genetics each day from my mentor, Shahar, as well as my fellow lab mates.

Working in a lab has been an amazing experience, allowing me to get a hands-on understanding of the incredible capabilities of science in deciphering ancient human DNA.

NIH PREP Scholar

Phoebe Demers

A passion for the preservation ...

…of the natural world fuels my ambition to contribute to the fields of conservation genetics and de-extinction.

I am eager to apply my background in biomedical engineering to the study of ancient DNA, which I aspire to use to guide rewilding efforts of endangered species.

Values

The Massilani Lab ought to represent the cultural blend of our society.

My mentorship philosophy is to build a cordial, open and trusting work environment where people can freely express their authentic self and opinions.

As a scientist, I believe that the freedom to be our authentic selves, brings depth and meaning to our interactions and fosters a shared investment and commitment that will benefit our science tremendously.
I want to build an inclusive team where every member feels responsible for maintaining a safe and equitable work environment for all.
As a mentor, I will provide to my lab member the support they need to have an equitable access to opportunities regardless of their background, their ethnicity, country of origin, physical and mental abilities, gender, and sexual orientation.
My goal is to foster intellectual and personal freedom as a mean to promote talent, creativity, and growth.

Contact

diyendo.massilani@yale.edu

+1 (203) 785 3767

post address:

Massilani Lab

Yale Genetics

PO BOX 208 005

New Haven, CT 06520 8005

 

address:

Diyendo Massilani

Sterling Hall of Medicine

I-234c

New Haven, CT 06510, USA