Proteomics: Ancient proteins – the new black of biomolecular archaeology

Most of the cultural heritage objects produced using materials of biological origin are rich in protein residues. In addition to their role in nutrition, the chemical and mechanical properties of proteins have always been exploited by humans in a broad range of applications.

Over the last 30 years, ancient DNA analysis has grown from a scientific curiosity into a powerful research tool radically transforming many fields. Only recently, the diffusion of a reliable technique, mass spectrometry, made ancient protein investigation feasible, opening the gates to paleoproteomic investigation. This approach has great potential and it is starting to deliver it.

During this presentation, the current techniques and recent achievements of paleoproteomics will be discussed.

It would be very helpful if you could send an email to Jane Malcolm Davies, if you are planning on attending.

Read more about the lecture series ATOMS (Analytic Tools for Organic Material Studies).