A paleogenomicist is a scientist who studies the genomes of ancient organisms. Their work helps us to understand the evolution of life on Earth and the history of our species.
Paleogenomics is a relatively new field, only emerging in the last few decades as advances in DNA sequencing technology have made it possible to sequence ancient genomes. The first ancient genome to be sequenced was that of a Neanderthal, which was published in 2010. Since then, the genomes of other extinct hominins such as Denisovans and Homo erectus have been sequenced, as well as the genomes of animals such as woolly mammoths and early horses.
Paleogenomicists use these ancient genomes to study a variety of topics, including human evolution, disease evolution, and environmental change. For example, by comparing the Neanderthal genome to that of modern humans, we can learn about how our ancestors differed from them and how we evolved over time. By looking at how diseases have changed over time, we can learn about their evolutionary history and how they might evolve in future. And by studying how animal populations have responded to past environmental changes, we can gain insights into how they might respond to future climate change.
The study of ancient genomes is an important tool in understanding our place in the universe and our connection to all life on Earth.