Toward using an oxidatively damaged plasmid as an intra- and inter-laboratory standard for ancient DNA studies

The following paper was originally presented by Dr Thomas H. Loy at the 6th International Conference on Ancient DNA and Associated Biomolecules held in Israel, July 2002. It is included here with editorial and formatting changes with the intention of demonstrating the passion and lateral thinking that underpinned Tomï½s approach to the field of Molecular Archaeology. The paper represents research from three honours projects conducted during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Building a modern model for ancient DNA that could be used during routine procedures was a concept that Tom had long held as an important step forward for the burgeoning discipline. With the equipment and technology that was available at the time, the Damaged Plasmid Model concept was completely viable and worthy of detailed validation. As with all historical accounts, an understanding of more recent developments in molecular techniques and equipment will highlight the need for considerable optimisation of the model before it can be used as an interlaboratory standard for ancient DN