Ancient DNA: A Time Machine to Study Evolution

Sept 2-5, 2024

Prof. Laurent Excoffier, UNIBE
Prof. Daniel Wegmann, UNIFR

• Prof. Eline Lorenzen, Natural History Museum of Denmark (DK)
• Prof. John Novembre, University of Chicago (USA)
• Dr. Janet Kelso, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (DE)
• Prof. Martin Sikora, University of Copenhagen (DK)
• Dr. Christine Grossen, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (CH)
• Prof. Joachim Burger, University of Mainz (DE)

While the sequencing of DNA extracted from fossils has been attempted since 1983, several technological revolutions such as rigorous lab practices and the availability of next-generation sequencing now make it possible to obtain high-quality ancient DNA data for many organisms. This opens up an unprecedented opportunity to include data from multiple time points when studying evolutionary processes such as past demographic events or the action of selection. In this workshop we will explore the range of evolutionary questions that will benefit from ancient DNA, and discuss important considerations in designing and executing research projects using ancient DNA, as well as best practices in analyzing ancient DNA data. While the ancient DNA field had arguably its largest impact on the study of human evolution, we want to focus on its broader implications: how can ancient DNA help to disentangle the effect of selection and demography? How should modern population genomic analyses be tailored to be applicable to ancient DNA? What are appropriate samples sizes for ancient DNA to make a real contribution? And the ultimate question for participants: would the inclusion of ancient DNA data make a difference in answering my evolutionary research questions?

In order to address and discuss these questions, we will bring together renowned international experts working with ancient DNA in various organisms. Each speaker will be giving both talks as well as chair breakout sessions to stimulate discussions. Prior to these discussions, we will also offer a hands-on session focusing on the analysis of ancient DNA data for a full day.

Each speaker will be giving 1) a full length talk on his/her latest research, 2) a full length talk on his/her view how the ancient DNA field will contribute to our understanding of evolutionary processes, and 3) chair a breakout session discussing one of the main questions we hope to address during this workshop. Prior to these discussions, we will also offer a hands-on session focusing on the analysis of ancient DNA data for a full day.

This workshop is aimed at students in evolutionary biology that are using or are planning to use genetic data for their research. All participants will have the opportunity to present their work either in a short talk or a poster, and to discuss questions regarding their work with the invited experts and organizers.

Sunday, Sept 1st Arrival day/ hotel check-in (dinner will be served)
Gemmi Lodge 2350 Gemmipass
3954 Leukerbad-->Please note that cable cars run until 6pm!

Monday, Sept 2nd
Hands-on Session on bioinformatic tools particularly useful for ancient DNA:
- ATLAS (https://bitbucket.org/wegmannlab/atlas)
- fastsimcoal2 (http://cmpg.unibe.ch/software/fastsimcoal27/)

 Tuesday, Sept 3rd
- Research Talk by invited speakers (30 min each)
- Selected Participant talks (15 min each)
- Poster session for remaining participants

Wednesday, Sept 4th
- Perspective Talk by invited speakers (30 min each)
- Break-out sessions


Thursday, Sept 5th
- Synthesis (combined with a small hike if the weather allows it)

Hotel check-out /Departure

Gemmi, Leukerbad

When?
Sept 2-5, 2024

Where?
Gemmi Lodge 2350
Gemmi Pass, 3954 Leukerbad VS

Contact:
@: ecologie-evolution(at)cuso(dot)ch

Reimbursements for CUSO EE students:
- Train ticket, 2nd class, half-fare from the central train station of your university to the place of the activity. Please claim the expenses via your myCUSO account. See HERE for the procedure.

Late cancellations (after 15.07.2024) or no-show: administrative fee of 100 CHF.

FULL BOARD FEES:

• CUSO PhD Students: 100 CHF - to help us pay accommodation.
  
• Other CUSO participants (postgraduates, postdocs, etc. from CUSO universities = UNIL, UNIBE, UNINE, UNIFR and UNIGE): 550 CHF
  
• External participants, i.e. from non-CUSO universities: 650 CHF
  

External participants (i.e. from a non-CUSO university): Please contact ecologie-evolution(at)cuso(dot)ch before registering! Thanks.

In case of cancellations before July 15, 2024: free
Late cancellations or no-show: Administrative fee of 100 CHF will be demanded.

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