Scientists from Pushchino for the first time study bacteria from the intestines of a fossil bison

by time news

Experts told the details of the selection of bioassays

The contents of the intestines of an ancient bison, which lived about 45 thousand years ago, are studied by employees of the Institute of Cell Biophysics (a separate subdivision of the Federal Research Center of the Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences). They are trying for the first time to recover the DNA of gut bacteria from a fossil animal.

The mummified carcass of an ancient bison was found in the permafrost of Yakutia and was recently brought to Moscow for an exhibition. However, before displaying it, the organizers of the exhibition suggested that scientists select biosamples of an extremely well-preserved animal for research.

As the “MK” was informed at the institute, experts took samples of the contents of the small intestine of the animal. Subsequently, a number of microorganisms were sown, retaining their viability in permafrost conditions. The DNA contained in the sample was isolated and sequenced by high throughput sequencing. The results of this work will make it possible to establish how the intestinal microbes of modern artiodactyls differ from those of the extinct bison.

Scientists will also try to collect genome-wide sequences of individual bacteria.

.

You may also like

Leave a Comment