Neanderthals were affected by some of the same viruses as modern humans
S. ENTRESSANGLE/E. DAYNES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Genetic sequences from three common viruses that plague humanity today have been isolated from the remains of Neanderthals who lived more than 50,000 years ago.
Marcelo Briones at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil, says it may be possible to synthesise these viruses and infect modern human cells with them in the lab.
“These Jurassic Park-like viruses could then be studied for their reproductive and pathogenic…
