Teaching and Education
The ArcheoGen center is also dedicated to teaching and education.
Experts in biomolecular analysis share their knowledge and experience with students of Masaryk University, fostering the next generation of researchers.
Master's students have the opportunity to work on their theses within ArcheoGen, with the option to continue their academic journey through postgraduate studies. This integration of research and education ensures a dynamic environment where students actively contribute to ongoing scientific discoveries.
The course AEB_A16f Basics of Archaeogenetics is offered to students of Archaeology and is taught in English during the fall semester. The curriculum is organized into three thematic sections:
- Introduction and Current State of Knowledge
- Methods
- Ethical and Interpretative Issues
Throughout the course, students are introduced to the fundamental principles of designing studies or projects focused on ancient DNA (aDNA), including research questions, methods, and sampling strategies. They learn about quality control approaches for obtained results, such as assessing contamination levels, aDNA damage, endogenous DNA content, and sequencing coverage.
The course also covers methods for analyzing data, addressing assumptions, limitations, and applications. Additionally, a significant portion is devoted to interpreting results, preparing publications, and contextualizing findings, all while considering ethical aspects of research.
This course equips students with both theoretical and practical knowledge essential for engaging in archaeogenetic research.
Experts from the ArcheoGen team regularly organize educational events, lectures, and workshops for professionals in archaeology and related fields. These events aim to
- Introduce new methods and approaches in the analysis of ancient biomolecules
- Foster interdisciplinary discussions among experts
- Strengthen cooperation between various components of archaeological research
By promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration, these seminars contribute to advancing both methodology and understanding in the field of archaeogenetics.