DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

#335 Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Us: How DNA Reveals Evolution


Listen Later

This conversation is a follow-up to Episode #326: How DNA Solves Crimes – The Forensic Science Behind True Crime, where we explored the role of DNA in forensic investigations including the infamous O.J. Simpson case. Dr. Henry Erlich returns to the show to talk about human ancestry and evolution. 

Dr. Henry Erlich has authored over 450 publications and spent decades applying DNA analysis to criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and ancestry research. His work has helped us trace human origins, understand genetic diversity, and uncover how DNA links us to Neanderthals and Denisovans. His lab performed the first DNA case in the US and, in 1988, the first DNA exoneration. Erlich was the Director of the Department of Human Genetics and Vice-President of Discovery Research for Roche Molecular Systems, Inc until 2013. He is currently a Senior Scientist at Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute. 

Topics Covered in This Episode:
  • How PCR revolutionized genetic research and our understanding of evolution
  • What genetic diversity within African populations tells us about human origins
  • Debunking myths about Mitochondrial Eve and human ancestry
  • The genetic connections between humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans
  • How ancient DNA from medieval bones reshapes what we know about genetic bottlenecks
  • Insights from the Pangenome Project and its potential to improve our understanding of genetic variation
  • Relevant Episodes: 
    • #326: How DNA Solves Crimes – The Forensic Science Behind True Crime (First Episode with Dr. Henry Erlich)
    • #216 African American Ancestry with Nicka Smith
    • #117 Dr. Janina Jeff on African Genomes
    • #251 Diversifying Genetic Research with 23andMe (Explores African American Sequencing Project)
    • #182 Dr. Eric Green on the Complete Human Genome Project and Pan Genome Project
    • Resources and Links:
      • Read Genetic Reconstruction of the Past by Dr. Henry Erlich
      • Explore the National DNA Index System (NDIS) and CODIS
      • The Innocence Project: Fighting wrongful convictions with DNA evidence
      • GEDmatch and its role in forensic investigations
      • Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops next Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

        While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 300 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

        Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel

        DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        DNA Today: A Genetics PodcastBy Kira Dineen

        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7

        4.7

        152 ratings


        More shows like DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

        View all
        Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

        Science Friday

        6,083 Listeners

        Nature Podcast by Springer Nature Limited

        Nature Podcast

        766 Listeners

        Science Magazine Podcast by Science Magazine

        Science Magazine Podcast

        807 Listeners

        The Moth by The Moth

        The Moth

        27,269 Listeners

        This Week in Virology by Vincent Racaniello

        This Week in Virology

        2,046 Listeners

        This Week in Microbiology by Vincent Racaniello

        This Week in Microbiology

        510 Listeners

        TED Radio Hour by NPR

        TED Radio Hour

        22,133 Listeners

        JAMA Clinical Reviews by JAMA Network

        JAMA Clinical Reviews

        487 Listeners

        Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

        Hidden Brain

        43,474 Listeners

        Science Vs by Spotify Studios

        Science Vs

        11,983 Listeners

        Code Switch by NPR

        Code Switch

        14,511 Listeners

        The Science of Happiness by PRX and Greater Good Science Center

        The Science of Happiness

        1,869 Listeners

        The Genetics Podcast by Sano Genetics

        The Genetics Podcast

        43 Listeners

        Chasing Life by CNN

        Chasing Life

        8,227 Listeners

        People I (Mostly) Admire by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

        People I (Mostly) Admire

        2,154 Listeners