Neanderthal genome project facts for kids
The Neanderthal genome project is a big science effort to read the complete genetic code (called a genome) of Neanderthals. Neanderthals were ancient humans who lived long ago. This exciting project was announced in July 2006. It was started by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany and a company called 454 Life Sciences in the United States.
Contents
What is a Genome Project?
A genome project is like reading a huge instruction book for a living thing. This book is made of DNA. DNA holds all the information that makes an organism what it is. Scientists want to read this book for Neanderthals. They hope to learn more about these ancient humans.
Why Study Neanderthal DNA?
Studying Neanderthal DNA helps us understand our own past. It shows how humans have changed over thousands of years. It can also tell us how Neanderthals lived and what they looked like. We can even learn if modern humans have any Neanderthal DNA.
How the Project Started
The Neanderthal genome project began in July 2006. It was a joint effort between two big groups. One was the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany. The other was 454 Life Sciences in the United States. They worked together to find and read tiny pieces of Neanderthal DNA.
Who Led the Research?
A famous scientist named Svante Pääbo led this important project. He is a director at the Max Planck Institute. His team worked hard to collect and study the ancient DNA. Their work has taught us a lot about Neanderthals.
Images for kids
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Svante Pääbo, director of the Department of Genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and head of its Neanderthal genome project.
See also
In Spanish: Proyecto del genoma neandertal para niños
