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About

Ludovic Orlando is a pioneering figure in ancient DNA research, whose work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of evolutionary history and domestication. His primary research areas include paleogenomics, molecular evolution, and the genetic history of equids, particularly horses. Orlando's major contributions lie in developing and refining ancient DNA capture techniques, such as the innovative RNA hyRAD probes method, which dramatically improves the efficiency of sequencing targeted genomic regions from highly degraded samples. This breakthrough, detailed in his 2021 paper (cited 21 times), allows researchers to overcome the challenge of environmental contamination in ancient DNA extracts. His impact is profound, with his most-cited works collectively amassing thousands of citations, including seminal studies on horse domestication that have rewritten the timeline of human-animal interaction. Notably, Orlando led the first complete genome sequencing of an ancient horse, revealing key insights into the genetic changes underlying domestication. His work has not only advanced methodological standards in paleogenomics but also provided a powerful framework for studying extinct populations, making him a leading voice in the field.