Ancient DNA Experts Say They Are Analyzing A Lock Of Sitting Bull’s Hair

Posted by admin on Aug 31, 2010

Craig Venter and James Watson have done it, as has an African bushman named !Gubi and a handful of others. Now legendary Sioux chief Sitting Bull may be joining the small but growing number of people who have had their DNA sequenced.

Earlier this year, a research team led by Eske Willerslev, an ancient DNA expert at the University of Copenhagen, reported sequencing the complete genome of a native Greenlander who lived 4,000 years ago. It was the first full human genome published based on ancient DNA.

Team member Valdiosera said that the researchers have the approval of Sitting Bull’s descendents to perform DNA tests on a sample of his hair, and that the team is trying to extract a full genome. If so, his would become the first ancient, non-frozen, Native American genome sequenced.

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