Ancient-DNA analysis of teeth and skeletal remains with utilization of miniSTR loci.

During the last twenty years, immense progress occurred in the area of analysis of DNA extracted from historical material. Considering the common level of preservation of tissue material, this analysis is usually executed on samples procured from bones and teeth. The analysis of soft mummified tissue is possible only in rare cases. Limiting factor of these analyses is a high degree of degradation and small amount of DNA extractable from this kind of material. First researches concentrated only on short sections of mainly mitochondrial DNA. Today, the analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of both contemporary and extinct organisms was made possible. In case of analyses conducted on human remains, sections of nuclear DNA are far more valuable, because they can reveal information including not only subject's sex, but also possible kinship between subjects found e.g. in the same grave. Fundamental component of the whole analysis is the process of extracting DNA from cells. Probably every laboratory working with historical DNA uses a differently modified extract protocol. The main requirement for methods of extraction is to secure enough DNA with such a level of purity that would allow its use for following steps of the analysis. Taking in consideration high fragmentation of DNA, it is necessary..