北卡罗来纳州立大学研究人员研制出一种创新方法，可在不对历史文献造成损伤的前提下从古代羊皮纸中提取DNA[1]。该技术采用干细胞学刷轻轻擦拭羊皮纸表面采集细胞样本，随后使用法医级测序技术进行遗传分析[1]。研究团队已从保存于杜克大学鲁宾斯坦图书馆的91份手稿中成功采集样本，这些手稿来源遍布英国至埃塞俄比亚，制作时间跨越8世纪晚期至20世纪初[1]。
通过这一方法提取的遗传信息可揭示古代贸易路线、牲畜驯化演变、饲养疾病等多层面的历史信息，部分信息可追溯至约1300年前[1]。该研究成果已发表于《手稿研究：绍恩伯格手稿研究所期刊》2026年第11卷第1期[1]。
Scientists at North Carolina State University have created an innovative technique to extract DNA from historical parchments without causing damage to the documents. [1] The method employs a gentle brushing approach using cytology brushes—the same type used in cervical cancer screening—to collect cellular samples from parchment surfaces, followed by forensic-grade sequencing technology to analyze the genetic material. [1]
The research team successfully collected samples from 91 manuscripts housed at Duke University's Rubinstein Library, with materials originating from locations ranging across Britain to Ethiopia and dating from the late 8th century through the early 20th century. [1] This non-invasive sampling process enables researchers to uncover information about ancient trade routes, livestock history, disease patterns in livestock, and details of daily life without harming these invaluable historical documents. [1] The genetic data can potentially reveal manuscript production timeframes and locations, as well as the evolution of animal domestication, reaching back approximately 1,300 years. [1]
The findings were published in Manuscript Studies: A Journal of the Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies on August 10, 2026, in volume 11, issue 1. [1]