Genetic code of Black Death germ reconstructed

Full Story: BBC

DNA fragments were extracted from teeth

The Black Death is considred to be one of the most traumatic and dreadful pandemics that struck Europe between 1348 and 1350. This single deadly pandemic killed some 30–60 percent of Europe's population. Although it took  150 years for Europe's population to recover, the plague returned at various times, killing more people, until it left Europe in the 19th century. Scientists and researchers have since been trying to find out what actually was the cause of this deadly plague since then. 

And the good news is that the genetic code of the germ that caused the Black Death has been reconstructed by scientists / researchers who extracted DNA fragments of the ancient bacterium from the teeth of medieval corpses found in London. Read more about this interesting find.

Posted in: News