Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
Published on: November 30, 2021
[Molecular paleopathology: a novel perspective for biomedical history]
Laura Ottini1, Ramona Lupi, Mario Falchetti
1Dipartmento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Sezione di Storia della Medicina, Università "La Sapienza", Roma.
Abstract:
Molecular paleopathology is an emerging field that is devoted to the detection, indentification and characterization of the molecular signatures in past diseases. When studied with modern molecular techniques, ancient human remains may yield direct informations on the diseases of ancient populations as well as the history of human diseases. Data concerning specific diseases of infectious, neoplastic and genetic origin can be obtained by molecular investigations of skeletal and mummified human remains. In particular, ancient DNA extracted from bone tissue, teeth and mummified soft tissue can be deeply analyzed by using PCR-based molecular techniques. Additionally, DNA of ancient pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and parasites, can be isolated from human remains and molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases can be made. Thus, molecular data, complemented by morphological and biochemical analyses, could help to reconstruct the epidemiology of past diseases and epidemics.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The Fossil Record
Genomics

