Moreover, combinations of multiple biophysical markers, such as stiffness and size, were about as good as the currently
employed molecular marker at classifying stem - like activity.
After extracting tiny amounts of ancient DNA from the mummies» bones, the researchers amplified 16 short tandem repeats (short sequences in the DNA that create a genetic fingerprint) and eight polymorphic microsatellites (hereditary
molecular markers) to testable quantities using techniques commonly
employed in criminal or paternity investigations.