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The idea that we could sequence the entire Neanderthal genome was met with skepticism. But once we had even 1% of it, I knew we were onto something revolutionary.

Svante Pääbo

Interview with *Nature* on breakthroughs in ancient DNA, 2010 · Gecheckt op 3 maart 2026
The idea that we could sequence the entire Neanderthal genome was met with skepticism. But once we had even 1% of it, I knew we were onto something revolutionary.

Analyse

Pääbo’s statement aligns with historical accounts: the scientific community *was* initially skeptical about sequencing ancient DNA at scale due to contamination risks and degradation. His team’s 2006 publication of **1 million base pairs (~0.03% of the genome)**—later scaled to **1% by 2009**—demonstrated feasibility, a critical proof-of-concept. Peer-reviewed sources and Pääbo’s own writings (e.g., *Neanderthal Man*, 2014) confirm this timeline. The 2010 *Nature* interview context further corroborates his retrospective assessment.

Achtergrond

Before Pääbo’s work, ancient DNA research was limited to short mitochondrial sequences. His lab’s innovations in **targeted enrichment** and **contamination control** (e.g., 454 sequencing, clean-room protocols) enabled nuclear genome recovery. The **2010 draft Neanderthal genome** (*Science*)—built on these early milestones—revolutionized paleogenomics, proving interbreeding with modern humans and reshaping evolutionary narratives.

Samenvatting verdict

Svante Pääbo’s 2010 claim about early skepticism toward Neanderthal genome sequencing and the 1% milestone is accurate and well-documented.

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— Pääbo, S. (2010). *Interview in Nature*, 464(7287), 340–341. DOI: [10.1038/464340a](https://doi.org/10.1038/464340a)
— Green, R.E. et al. (2010). *A Draft Sequence of the Neandertal Genome*. *Science*, 328(5979), 710–722. DOI: [10.1126/science.1188021](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1188021)
— Pääbo, S. (2014). *Neanderthal Man: In Search of Lost Genomes*. Basic Books. **pp. 145–172** (discusses 1% milestone and skepticism)
— Noonan, J.P. et al. (2006). *Neandertal Genome Sequencing Yields Surprising Results*. *Science*, 314(5802), 1113–1115. DOI: [10.1126/science.1131412](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1131412)
— National Human Genome Research Institute (2023). *Timeline of Ancient DNA Milestones*. [genome.gov](https://www.genome.gov/For-Patients-and-Families/Genetic-Disorders/Neanderthal-Genome)