University of Coimbra to set up the first ancient DNA laboratory in Portugal

English version: Diana Taborda

The University of Coimbra (UC) will create the first ancient DNA laboratory in Portugal. The new facility will open its doors in 2024 at the UC, aiming to be a reference laboratory for research and innovation in areas where the study of ancient DNA can play a key role in advancing knowledge, namely in the fields of evolutionary biology, conservation, health, environment and archaeology.

This pioneering space has been designed to promote scientific, collaborative and interdisciplinary excellence as a support centre for several research areas, namely the study of the adaptation and mobility of human populations and other animal species in response to environmental change; the use of ancient, environmental and forensic DNA to monitor biodiversity, invasive species, food quality and the conservation of natural resources; the study of population and territorial valorisation, including historical villages and archaeological sites; the study of the occurrence and evolution of diseases over time; or the implementation and computational analysis of large-scale genomic data (big data).

The Rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão, claims that "The University of Coimbra's commitment to this new laboratory aims to promote research and innovation in several areas of knowledge. By creating this new facility, we are not only promoting innovation within the University, but also outside the UC, as we want this laboratory to contribute to research being carried out both in Portugal and abroad, in areas where ancient DNA may prove crucial".

"The Ancient DNA Laboratory will help overcome some of the country's main infrastructural constraints in this field, promote interdisciplinary scientific excellence and help consolidate the University of Coimbra's leadership in research and innovation. The laboratory will be integrated into a global network of scientific institutions specialised in ancient DNA, forensic genetics, evolutionary biology, archaeology, linguistics and museology," explains João Carlos Teixeira, vice-coordinator of the UC Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies (CEIS20), currently at the Australian National University and affiliated researcher at the UC, who will be the principal investigator of this new facility”.

João Carlos Teixeira has focused his research on the genetics and evolution of species, especially the human species, mainly through the analysis of ancient DNA samples, with publications in prestigious international scientific journals on the importance of genetic diversity for the conservation of species, the evolutionary history of human populations or the identification of the oldest documented case of a genetic disorder.

The researcher explains that ancient DNA "provides a direct window into the past, allowing the study of the genetic architecture of natural populations across time, including selection or migration events, as well as the genetic factors associated with the domestication, speciation or extinction of species", adding that "this new laboratory also offers the possibility of establishing strong partnerships with other research and development (R&D) units in the public and private sectors, and a unique opportunity to establish specialised teaching and training programmes".

The new laboratory will involve several teaching and research units of the University of Coimbra, namely CEIS20, the Centre for Research in Anthropology and Health (CIAS) of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCTUC), the Department of Life Sciences, the Botanical Garden, the Science Museum or the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FLUC).