The Neandertal Genome

The Neanderthal genome is the complete set of genetic instructions, or DNA, of the Neanderthals, an extinct human species that lived thousands of years ago. Scientists have sequenced their DNA from fossils, revealing how Neanderthals are related to modern humans. They share about 99.7% of their DNA with us, but differences exist that influence traits like immune response and skin. Studying their genome helps us understand human evolution, migration, and how Neanderthals interacted with early Homo sapiens. Overall, it provides a detailed look at a close human relative that once roamed the Earth.