Molecular Biology and Human Diversity (Society for the Study of Human Biology Symposium Series)

The study of the patterns of genetic diversity in modern human populations can help reconstruct human evolutionary history, including ancient migrations, population expansions, and bottlenecks. Considerable attention is being paid to the use of molecular evidence in studies of human diversity and origins. Much of the early work was based on evidence from mitochondrial DNA, but this has been supplemented by important information from nuclear DNA from both the Y chromosomes and the autosomes. The bulk of the material available is also from living populations, but this is being extended by the study of DNA from archaic populations. The underlying models used in interpreting this evidence are developments of the neutral theory of molecular evolution, but also consider the possible role of selection. This 1996 volume brings together evidence from an international group of research workers. It will be an important reference for researchers in human biology, molecular biology and genetics alike

discusses New Molecular Evidence And Methods Behind Current Theories Of Human Diversity And Evolution.