Using Whole-Genome In-Solution Capture (WISC) for aDNA Libraries

In a study recently published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, researchers applied a technique (whole-genome in-solution capture: WISC) to enrich ancient DNA libraries. Specifically, the researchers used RNA “baits” that were produced through transcription from genomic DNA libraries. These RNA “baits” were hybridized to ancient DNA libraries, and subsequently the RNA "baits" and bound aDNA were pulled down with magnetic streptavidin-coated beads. After the unbound (non-human) DNA was washed away, the captured endogenous human aDNA was amplified for further sequencing. The researchers emphasize that further work is needed; however, their results offer a promising outlook. WISC resulted in an increase from 1.2% (from shotgun sequencing) up to 59% of reads mapped to the human genome.