Danat Yermakovich doctoral thesis defense "The evolutionary history of complex traits: implications of archaic admixture".

On 16 October at 14.15 Danat Yermakovich will defend his doctoral thesis  "The evolutionary history of complex traits: implications of archaic admixture" to obtain the degree of Doctor of Gene Technology. The defence will take place in the Institute of Genomics (Riia 23b), auditorium 105.

Supervisors:

Associate Professor Michael Dannemann, University of Tartu
Associate Professor Jon Anders Eriksson, University of Tartu

Opponent:

David Gokhman, Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel)

Summary:

Anatomically modern humans (AMHs), who evolved in Africa, co-existed with other archaic human groups known as Neandertals and Denisovans who lived in different parts of Eurasia. The distinct habitats with their unique environmental challenges that these three human groups were exposed to for more than 200,000 years likely resulted in unique adaptation patterns. When AMHs moved out of Africa around 60,000 years ago to permanently colonize the whole world, they met and admixed with both Neandertal and Denisovans in different parts of Eurasia. As a result of these past admixture events, the genomes of present-day non-Africans are still composed of ∼2% of Neandertal DNA, and the genomes of Oceanians contain an additional 2–5% of Denisovan DNA.

The analysis of this introgressed DNA in present-day humans has shown significant links to different traits related to immunology, behavior, skin and hair traits and high altitude adaptation. However, our understanding of the functional role of archaic DNA in people today remains incomplete, largely due to biases in the availability of genomic and phenotypic datasets from genetically diverse populations. This thesis takes advantage of the growing number of newly generated functional and genomic datasets, to expand our knowledge about the phenotypical, regulatory, and evolutionary impact of Neandertal and Denisovan introgressed DNA on present-day humans.

The first study focused on the significant role of introgressed Neandertal DNA on disease and non-disease behavioral phenotypes in present-day humans. The second study explored the role of Neandertal DNA on long-range regulatory effects in people today. Finally, the third study described the potential impact of archaic introgressed DNA on processes of local adaptation in two populations from the highlands and lowlands of Papua New Guinea. All three studies further expanded our understanding of the evolutionary and functional roles of Neandertal and Denisovan DNA in people today. Additionally, they offer valuable new insights into the biology of these two extinct human groups.

The defence can be followed in Zoom (Meeting ID: 984 8223 8591, Passcode: 654440).