A. Herbig

Synergistic coevolution accelerates genome evolution

This study shows that synergistic coevolution between mutualistic bacteria increases molecular evolution rates compared to independent growth.

CoproID predicts the source of coprolites and paleofeces using microbiome composition and host DNA content

The paper introduces a method to determine the source of coprolites and paleofeces using microbiome composition and host DNA content, distinguishing between human, canine, and non-fecal materials.

Ancient Yersinia pestis genomes provide no evidence for the origins or spread of the Justinianic Plague

The paper reanalyzes ancient Yersinia pestis genomes to challenge the link between the Justinianic Plague and the identified genomes, suggesting the lower coverage genome may instead relate to the Black Death.

Ancient Yersinia pestis genomes from across Western Europe reveal early diversification during the First Pandemic (541-750)

This study reconstructs six new Yersinia pestis genomes from the First Pandemic (541-750) and identifies genetic diversity and potential convergent evolution with later pandemics.

A phylogeography of the second plague pandemic revealed through the analysis of historical Y. pestis genomes

This study analyzes historical Y. pestis genomes to trace the phylogeography of the second plague pandemic, revealing patterns of genetic diversity and virulence gene loss.

Neolithic and Medieval virus genomes reveal complex evolution of Hepatitis B

This study analyzes three ancient HBV genomes from European skeletons, showing HBV circulation for 7000 years and distinct lineages that may have gone extinct.

Selection of appropriate metagenome taxonomic classifiers for ancient microbiome research

This study evaluates how ancient DNA damage affects taxonomic classification accuracy in metagenomic datasets using five classifiers, finding that program-specific biases outweigh damage effects.

The Stone Age Plague: 1000 years of Persistence in Eurasia

This study identifies six new Yersinia pestis genomes from the European Late Neolithic to Bronze Age, suggesting a single genetic clade that may have persisted in Europe until the mid Bronze Age.