Russia first decoded DNA of ancient trunk

Russian scientists have for the first time deciphered the DNA sequence of the ancient timber tree Metasequoia whose remains are found on Axel Heiberg Island, north of Canada's Arctic Islands.

Metasequoia Conifers

According to the study, the aforementioned ancient timber tree is estimated to be about 50-55 million years old.

According to scientists, the research results will bring to the world science a whole new perspective on representatives in the evolution of humanity.

Experts of the Institute of Botany (Academy of Sciences of Saint Petersburg) have passed on to genetics researchers at the National University of Altai a few grams of wood of Metasequoia conifers.

The scientists compared DNA sequences of ancient wood and DNA of modern woody plants and found almost no difference.

That conclusion changed the current perceptions of evolution, whereby current experiments have determined that the rate of evolution is uneven.