The genetic origins of the large CNVs in Melanesians

Copy-number variants (CNVs) are a type of variation that involves duplications or deletions of large segments of DNA. Recent genomic studies have revealed that Melanesians, an indigenous population living in the South Pacific region, harbor a high level of CNVs compared to other human populations. These CNVs have been found to be enriched in genes […]

Did archaic genetic variants help Melanesians adapt?

Scientists find 19 variations suggestive of positive selection, and likely introduced in prehistoric times through interbreeding with Neanderthals or Denisovans.October 22, 2019 Media Contact: Brian Donohue – 206.543.7856, bdonohue@uw.edu Compared with other world groups, the DNA of Melanesian populations carries some of the largest percentage of ancestry from now-extinct Neanderthals and Denisovans. A genomic study of […]