Kibyra Antik Popülasyonunda Arkeogenomik Analizlerle Paleopatoloji Etmeninin Tespiti

Abstract

In recent years, studies of ancient DNA and metagenomics have been used together to support each other and find answers to new scientific questions. In this thesis, we examined whether the skeletons obtained from the graves found around the church in the ancient city of Kibyra contained any pathogenic agents. We used optimized silica membrane kits for aDNA isolation. After aDNA isolation, we checked the DNA content of the samples with spectrophotometric measurement and started library preparations. Following these methodological steps, the V3-V4 gene regions of the 16S rRNA gene, which allow for the best possible metagenomic analysis and are also in line with the purpose of the study, were studied. After macroscopic examination of the sample group, DNA isolation was performed on 7 samples. We sent 4 of these 7 selected samples to the Illumina sequencing platform, and obtained sequencing data from 4 samples. For each sample, microbial profiles and microbial profiles relative to each other were extracted using metagenomic analyses. As a result, the data obtained showed that the metagenomic profile diversity of each microorganism was similar, but differences were observed in the distribution rates of the microorganism groups. When looking at these differences, it was observed that the dental sample acted as an outgroup when analyzes such as phylogenetic tree, alpha diversity and beta diversity were applied. When the microorganism diversity was examined, no paleopathological signals were seen in the samples. In this thesis study, when the periodic differences seen in the burial traditions of the samples obtained from archaeological excavations from the ancient city of Kibyra are examined with the approach of ancient DNA studies and metagenomic studies, it is seen that no pathological factor is found. In addition to this study, increasing the number of samples in further studies and applying metagenomic analyzes and choosing whole genome shotgun sequencing platforms to conduct species-level research may give us more detailed results. At the same time, the entire genome can be profiled by shotgun sequencing and compared with other contemporary ancient samples.