The review is devoted to molecular genetic studies of ancient DNA. The problems of DNA preservation and modification after cell death, as well as techniques of working with ancient DNA, including its retrieval, removal of inhibitors, PCR amplification, and phylogenetic analysis, are discussed in detail. The possibilities are considered of using ancient DNA in resolving issues of systematics and evolution of various animal taxa, population genetics of humans and rare species, taxonomic identification and paleontological reconstructions, geographic origin of populations, microbiological analysis of paleontological and archeological finds, as well as some humanitarian aspects of its use.
这篇综述致力于古代DNA的分子遗传学研究。详细讨论了细胞死亡后DNA的保存和修饰问题，以及处理古代DNA的技术，包括其提取、抑制剂去除、PCR扩增和系统发育分析。还考虑了利用古代DNA解决各种动物类群的系统分类和进化问题、人类和珍稀物种的群体遗传学、分类鉴定和古生物学重建、种群的地理起源、古生物学和考古发现的微生物分析以及其使用的一些人文方面问题的可能性。
