Verena J. Schuenemann

Microbial community dynamics in a traditional Swiss mountain cheese over 142 years of cheesemaking

This study analyzes microbial community changes in traditional Swiss cheese over 142 years, showing shifts linked to production practices and antibiotic use.

A haplotype-based evolutionary history of barley domestication

All five wild populations fed an early barley founder population in the Fertile Crescent during extended pre-domestication cultivation; about 91% of wild-matched haplotypes split 32 to 8 ka BP.

A new typing scheme demonstrates high discriminatory power for Treponema pallidum subspecies

This paper introduces a new MLST scheme for Treponema pallidum subspecies with high discriminatory power, validated using global clinical samples and showing distinct genetic clusters.

Screening great ape museum specimens for DNA viruses

The paper screens great ape museum specimens for DNA viruses, identifying multiple viruses and obtaining near-complete genomes, including high-coverage hepatitis B virus genomes.

Non-destructive extraction of DNA from preserved tissues in medical collections

This paper presents a non-destructive method to extract DNA from preserved tissues and their fixative solutions, enabling genetic analysis without damaging the samples.

Comparison of target enrichment strategies for ancient pathogen DNA

This study compares three DNA enrichment methods for ancient pathogen DNA, finding in-solution approaches are most effective and RNA baits outperform DNA baits.

Geographically structured genomic diversity of non-human primate-infecting Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue

The paper characterizes the genomic diversity of Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue in non-human primates across sub-Saharan Africa, finding geographic clustering of strains rather than host or symptom-based clades.

Ancient bacterial genomes reveal a formerly unknown diversity of Treponema pallidum strains in early modern Europe

This study identifies previously unknown Treponema pallidum strains in early modern Europe, suggesting a complex history of treponemal diseases.

The rate and potential relevance of new mutations in a colonizing plant lineage

The paper estimates the mutation rate and evolutionary relevance in a colonizing plant lineage using historical and modern genomic data.

African Nonhuman Primates Are Infected With The Yaws Bacterium Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue

The paper identifies naturally occurring simian Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue strains in African nonhuman primates, showing genomic similarity to human TPE strains.

Effect of X-ray irradiation on ancient DNA in sub-fossil bones - Guidelines for safe x-ray imaging.

This study examines how X-ray irradiation affects ancient DNA in sub-fossil bones and provides guidelines to minimize DNA damage during imaging.

Mitochondrial Genomes of Giant Deers Suggest their Late Survival in Central Europe

The paper reconstructs mitochondrial genomes of giant deer from 12,000-year-old bones, showing their later survival in Central Europe and phylogenetic relationship to fallow deer.