Objective
In the last decade, ancient DNA studies have increased their throughput from single samples to thousands of genomes published every year, giving us unprecedented data about human genetic history. However, tools and methods that efficiently use this wealth of data are sorely lacking, especially because DNA extracted from fossils is often scarce and contaminated. In this project, I develop population genetic theory and bioinformatic methods that use ancient DNA to refine estimates of when and where archaic and modern humans interbred, to characterize the historical, biological and functional consequences of this gene flow, and to learn about the differences between modern humans, Neandertals, and Denisovans.
The first aim of this project is to develop a robust and general genotype-likelihood approach for local ancestry inference that allows efficient use of contaminated, low-coverage data, and to establish approximate haplotype-based methods for inferring introgression tracts.
The second aim of the project is to develop the necessary population genetic theory and statistical methods to translate the inferred haplotypes into biological insights. The proposed theoretical, numerical and simulation-based approaches will link the inferred introgression patterns with the underlying population genetic processes.
The final aim is to apply these novel tools to study where and when gene flow between Neandertals, Denisovans, and modern humans occurred. I also aim to identify introgressed haplotypes that are a target of natural selection and to quantify the relative importance of positive, negative, and balancing selection on Neandertal and Denisovan gene flow.
As a result, this work will expand the tool set available for the analysis of ancient DNA, reveal the precise history of the interactions of Neandertals and modern humans, and provide answers to the key question of what genetic factors contributed to the survival of our species, while all other hominins went extinct.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- humanities history and archaeology history
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.