Metagenomic analyses of Museum Collections

The use of artifacts from collections preserved in museums represent new opportunities and challenges not only because of their ages, but also because they have traveled, have been manipulated, and often, even washed. Ancient DNA (aDNA) studies on museum collections can be used to get information from humans and their associated microorganisms, whether commensal or pathogenic. This project will aim at exploring the relevance of reinvigorating museum collections and their artifacts as a reservoir of biological data that should no longer be neglected.