Koji Ishiya
Principal Investigator
Sapiens Life Sciences, Evolution and Medicine Research Center, Kanazawa University
Project Overview
In this project, I aim to develop a cutting-edge metagenomic analysis framework for the comprehensive and high-resolution recovery of genetic information from archaeological organisms preserved in ancient remains. Conventional metagenomic approaches have primarily relied on limited genetic markers, such as the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, which often lack the taxonomic resolution necessary for accurate species-level identification. Furthermore, due to the high sequence conservation of these regions, evaluating ancient DNA authenticity based on damage patterns—such as cytosine deamination—remains challenging. To address these limitations, I will establish a novel approach that leverages lineage-specific assessment of deamination signatures across taxonomic ranks, enabling robust identification of truly ancient taxa and more comprehensive reconstruction of their genomic profiles. This methodology will not only enhance the analysis of target organisms within archaeological contexts, but also facilitate the reconstruction of complex ancient microbiomes that reflect past environmental conditions, hygiene, and ecological dynamics.
