The effectiveness of molecular genetic methods in the study of herbarium and archeobotanical specimens
https://doi.org/10.30901/2658-3860-2025-3-o2
Abstract
This paper presents the results of molecular genetic analysis of herbarium specimens from the VIR Herbarium collection (WIR) and archaeobotanical finds from the excavation of the grain yard of the St. Sergius Trinity Lavra (15th century). The specifics of working with genetic material samples obtained from herbarium specimens and plant remains are considered. A number of difficulties in extracting DNA fragments are noted. Several protocols for nucleic acid extraction from herbarium and fossil plant samples have been tested and approved during the molecular genetic research. Amplification was performed with primers for the chloroplast spacer regions psbK-psbI and trnL-trnF. Amplification products of various sizes were detected in the crop plants preserved in the VIR herbarium. A comparison of the PCR results revealed amplification products of identical size in dried plants and ancient DNA samples of the same species. Therefore, this study demonstrates the feasibility of further work with ancient DNA from 15th-century archaeobotanical samples.
About the Authors
A. BurakovaRussian Federation
Т. Семилет
Russian Federation
А. Камнев
Russian Federation
М. Лапкасов
Russian Federation
Л. Шипилина
Russian Federation
И. Чухина
Russian Federation
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Review
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Burakova A., , , , , The effectiveness of molecular genetic methods in the study of herbarium and archeobotanical specimens. Vavilovia. https://doi.org/10.30901/2658-3860-2025-3-o2
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