Abstract: DNA extracted from excavated remains opens a new window for the investigation of the past. On the other hand, the low quality of genetic material that survived time introduces new challenges in the analysis of such data. In the talk we will not speak about these challenges. Instead, we will describe the opportunity provided by the specific characteristics of the deterioration over time of the genetic material. These specific characteristics can be exploited in order to extract epigenetic information, in the form of Methylation profile, from the ancient remains. The extraction of this information requires the use of statistical tools and is aided by simulations. Hence the title.

About the Speaker: Professor Benjamin Yakir works at the Department of Statistics and Data Science of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He specializes in statistical genetics and applied probability. Professor Yakir started his career investigating models in sequential change-point detection and the investigation of the distribution of extreme values in random fields. Later his research interests expanded to include collaborations with researchers in the fields of bioinformatics and genetics. Professor Yakir holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from the Hebrew University.