Ancient DNA analysis from epoxy resin Biodur®-embedded bones

Abstract

For microscopic investigation, archaeological bone samples are often embedded in Biodur^® epoxy resin. This study wants to test whether it is possible to extract DNA suitable for PCR amplification from this sample type. For eight individuals a set of samples - each consisting of a Biodur-embedded femur sample, a native femur sample and a control sample of different anatomical origin - were submitted to organic DNA extraction. The extraction success was tested by autosomal short tandem repeat amplification. Seven out of eight Biodur-embedded femur samples revealed successful amplification results. If Biodur-embedded bone material exists from earlier microscopic investigations, our results encourage the use of this sample type as a source for genetic research.

Keywords: Biodur®-embedded bones; DNA quantification; PCR; STR typing; ancient DNA.