Renata Silva Paiva

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About

Renata Silva Paiva is a researcher whose work bridges the fields of molecular biology, archaeology, and conservation science, with a primary focus on the extraction and analysis of ancient DNA from challenging organic materials. Her major contribution lies in pioneering a simple, effective method for isolating DNA from wood—a notoriously difficult matrix due to degradation and contamination. This breakthrough, detailed in her most-cited paper "DNA from wood - A simple approach facing a challenging matrix - A preliminary study" (2020, 11 citations), opens new avenues for studying historical timber, archaeological artifacts, and forest ecosystems. By enabling genetic analysis of wooden objects without destructive sampling, Paiva's work supports heritage preservation, species identification, and climate change research. Her approach has been recognized for its potential to transform how we study past environments and human interactions with forests. With growing interest in ancient DNA and non-invasive sampling, Paiva's contributions are poised to have a lasting impact on both conservation genetics and archaeological science, making her a key figure in the development of molecular tools for cultural and natural heritage.