Fatemeh Loni
in
Friday 2024-01-19 10:46
Branch Motto: Genetics and Biotechnology, Tools for Understanding and Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage (Genome) Based on Population Studies
Introduction:
In 2003, through the efforts of UNESCO, a convention was adopted to honor Intangible Cultural Heritage. This convention essentially serves as a treaty, signed by countries around the world with the participation of UNESCO, and it came into effect in 2006. As of June 2016, 169 countries have joined this convention. The Islamic Republic of Iran has also been one of the leading countries in the world to sign this convention.
Archaeological sciences and ancient studies have always endeavored to uncover the hidden facets of the human past. In this quest, numerous tools have aided this science, particularly in recent decades. Archaeology has now been equipped with modern sciences and tools, including genetics and biotechnology techniques.
Genetic studies can provide researchers with unparalleled information. From these data, valuable conclusions can be drawn, such as tracing human ancestry, migration paths, intermixing, the divergence and derivation of ethnic groups from each other, the degree of kinship between humans or ethnic groups, genealogy, identification of genetic diseases, and more.
The land of Iran, due to its long and diverse history, is one of the oldest regions where agriculture and animal husbandry originated. There are many examples in this regard, including the ancient archaeological site of Chogha Golan, located in Mehran County, Ilam Province. This site is uniquely rich in plant species including barley, a type of wheat, and lentils, all wild ancestors of crops widely used around the world today. These findings indicate the unique and prolonged cultivation of wild plant species in the eastern part of the Fertile Crescent. In other words, the domesticated wheat first appeared in the world at this site. Essentially, Chogha Golan is the origin of plant seed domestication at the end of the Ice Age. The first evidence of goat domestication in the world belongs to the Ganj Dareh archaeological site in Kermanshah province, Iran (around 10,000 years BC), which demonstrates the organized breeding of this animal.
We invite all professors, researchers, and students interested in this field to participate in this program and contribute to a better understanding of the biological communities located on the Iranian plateau. The sciences that can be briefly mentioned in this academic field include:
-Specialists in genetics, life sciences, botany, and zoology,
-Experts in fields of archaeological excavations, anthropology, paleontology, and stratigraphy,
-Specialists in history, archaeology, cultural heritage, linguistics, ethnic studies, and the language and civilization of Iran, and other related sciences in the fields of humanities, medical sciences, and engineering and technology.
Some of the areas that will be focused on in the upcoming congress's Genetics and Genealogy panel, particularly in the context of archaeology and biotechnological sciences, can be outlined as follows. Therefore, the main themes to be studied and reviewed in this panel this year are divided into three categories:
1. Archaeogenetics and interdisciplinary sciences.
2. Forensic medicine genetics, anatomy, and dissection.
3. Crisis management in the examination of bodies with genetic analysis and ancillary factors in corpses, and bioinformatics analysis being prioritized.
The themes in the specified sections are as follows:
A) Interdisciplinary collaboration of genetics science alongside other disciplines such as archaeology, history, linguistics, anatomy and dissection, and bioinformatics, aimed at better elucidating the patterns of ancient biological communities:
The sub-branches of this field include:
Archaeogenetics
Anthropological and osteological studies such as determining gender, age, and diseases through bioarcheological findings from ancient sites.
New genetic and ethnological discoveries from archaeological sites.
Methods and models for understanding biological and dietary patterns in the past.
Paleobotany
Domestication of plant and animal species over thousands of years as a tool for the continuity of human societies
Paleo genomics
Metagenomics
Demography from skeletal remains, settlement evidence, and ancient biological molecules.
Examination of evidence for migrations and movements between human groups in historical sites.
Application of isotope analysis of skeletal samples in studying ancient migration phenomena.
The use of biotechnology in the trafficking of historical objects (authentic and counterfeit)
Phylogenetic tree classification of languages over various periods and the impact of migration and gene flow as a factor in linguistic pattern changes over time.
Examination of history and historical documents and mythology to better explain the reasons for ethnic migrations and to clarify genetic bottlenecks.
Discussions on genetic diseases and medicine and their study in archaeology.
Evaluation and new statistical methods for reconstructing ancient demographics.
New technologies in the field of population studies in archaeology.
Theories and conventional methods of reconstructing populations through archaeological data and bioinformatics analyses.
Reconstruction of ancient diseases and pathologies.
2) Forensic Genetics:
The application of forensic genetics in archaeogenetics encompasses several aspects. Forensic genetics focuses on the identification and analysis of DNA from biological samples found at crime scenes. This approach can be utilized in ancient genetics in the following ways:
Identification and Analysis of Ancient DNA: Using advanced techniques in forensic genetics, DNA can be extracted and analyzed from ancient samples such as bones, teeth, and soft tissues that have survived for thousands of years.
Investigating Genetic Relationships and Genealogy: These methods can be used to determine familial or ancestral relationships between ancient individuals or between ancient and modern populations.
Determining Geographic Origins and Migrations: Genetic analysis can provide information about the geographic origins and migration patterns of ancient populations.
Investigating Ancient Diseases: Forensic genetic techniques can be used to study the presence and distribution of specific diseases in ancient populations.
Research on Human Evolution: Analysis of ancient DNA aids in a better understanding of human evolution and the genetic changes that have occurred over time.
Utilizing methods and knowledge from forensic genetics in ancient genetics not only contributes to the discovery and deeper understanding of human history and evolution, but also enhances our understanding of diseases, population relationships, and socio-cultural dynamics in the past. These research areas exemplify how different sciences collaborate to advance human knowledge.
Sub-branches include:
Body Fluid Identification
Disaster Victim Identification
Forensic human identification in humanitarian aspects
Forensic Database Advisory Board and Ethical Considerations for Forensic Genetic
Frequency Databases
Forensic Genetics Genealogy
Mixture Interpretation
Ancestry/ Appearance & Phenotyping
Y-Chromosome and mtDNA Analysis and Statistics
Bioinformatics Missing persons
Kinship Statistics and Pedigree Analysis
Anatomical Insights from Genetic Research
Molecular Autopsy in Forensic Pathology
Forensic bioanthropology
Future of Forensic Genetics and Technology
Other related sciences and their application in genetics for genealogy, identification of bodies in emergency situations, and the overall environmental factors influencing the issue of body identification:
The application of ancient genetics in identifying unidentified bodies is crucial, especially in cases where bodies have been buried for a long time or have been in conditions that led to DNA degradation. These methods are primarily used in historical and archaeological research but also have applications in forensic medicine. In this context, ancient genetics assists in the following ways:
Extraction and Analysis of Degraded DNA: Ancient genetic techniques can be used to extract and analyze DNA from tissues that have degraded over time. These methods are particularly useful for bodies preserved in adverse environmental conditions.
Identity Verification through Genetic Comparison: Comparing extracted DNA samples from bodies with DNA samples from families with missing members can help identify unidentified individuals.
Determining Geographic and Ethnic Origins: Ancient genetics can provide information about the geographic and ethnic origins of unidentified bodies, aiding in identity determination.
Investigating Causes of Death and Diseases: DNA analysis can reveal signs of potential diseases or health conditions that may have led to death. This information can be crucial in determining the cause of death in complex cases.
Dating and Locating: Using genetic data and other techniques like radiocarbon dating, it can be estimated when a person died and possibly their region of origin.
Linking to Historical and Cultural Information: Where bodies belong to specific historical periods, genetic analysis can help link them to certain historical or cultural events. These applications demonstrate that ancient genetics is important not only for understanding humanity's past but also for modern applications such as identifying unidentified bodies and solving forensic medical mysteries. This approach can aid in solving old cases where traditional identification methods were insufficient.
Sub-branches include:
Preventing Misidentification in Disaster Scenarios
Case Studies of Mass Casualty Identification
Developing Guidelines for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)
Integration of Genetic Tools in Rescue Operations
The Role of International Cooperation in DVI
Ethical Considerations in Genetic Identification
Creating a Genetic Bank for Rescue Members
Innovative Technologies in Forensic Genetics for DVI
Training and Preparedness of Rescue Teams in Genetic Identification
Legal Frameworks Governing Genetic Identification in Disasters
Psychological Impact of Identification on Families
Genetic Identification in Complex Scenarios
Case Studies of Mass Casualty Identification
Training and Preparedness of Rescue Teams in Genetic Identification
Legal Frameworks Governing Genetic Identification in Disasters
Psychological Impact of Identification on Families
Each of these titles itself is evaluated and studied through a specific scientific and biological method. Through this process, with scientific collaboration, one can gain awareness of these methods and articulate each of them in detail.
