SGBK20001U Cancelled Ancient Proteins and Evolution

This course will describe how palaeoproteomics (i.e. mass spectrometry-based ancient protein sequencing) can be used to address evolutionary, biological and archaeological questions. There is a growing interest in palaeoproteomics which is building upon the successes of ancient DNA studies. Proteins tend to be more robust than DNA and therefore they can be used to extend research to older (~ 4 million years) samples and hotter (tropical) sites. Thgrough the application of the most advanced palaeoproteomic methods, proteins are now amenable to sequencing even when they represent only a minimal fraction of highly mineralized tissues such as dental enamel. Some of the results obtained using ancient protein analysis are contributing to address general interest challenges in Pleistocene mammalian, including human, evolution. Furthermore, the significance of the pust translational modifications (and therefore the proteomic strategies) investigated in palaeoproteomics is also relevant to studies of ageing, pharmaceutical preparation and food storage/processing.

The course will present and critically comment upon the most recent achievements deriving from the application of palaeoproteomics to palaeontology, paleoanthropology, archaeology and cultural heritage studies. With good amino acid sequence coverage and careful interpretation ancient protein remains can be used to answer fundamental questions of biological evolution.  Proteinaceous materials have also been used as glues, food, paint binders and for clothing. Palaeoproteomics can accordingly be used to explore how humans exploited animals and plant tissues in the past.

At the beginning of the course, a series of lectures will explore the process of protein decay and methodologies from chiral amino acid analysis to tandem mass spectrometry which are being used to recover and authenticate ancient proteins. This will be followed by examples of application of palaeoproteomics to different disciplines.  In a second phase, the students will directly apply the techniques at the base of palaeoproteomic analysis during a 3-week practical activity in a molecular biology laboratory.