Scientists have made significant strides in understanding ancient organisms through the extraction of proteins from fossils. Recent research has yielded protein sequences from dental fossils of extinct species, revealing insights that date back up to 24 million years, surpassing the limits of ancient DNA studies which have reached only two million years.
This breakthrough was achieved by extracting proteins from the teeth of ancient rhinoceroses, elephants, and hippopotamuses located in varying environments, including the cold Arctic of Canada and the hot Turkana region of Kenya. Daniel Green, an evolutionary biologist at Harvard University and lead author of one of the studies, emphasized that these findings demonstrate how proteins can survive in fossils globally, unveiling vital information about the evolutionary history of these species.
Ryan Sinclair Paterson, a postdoctoral researcher involved in the Canadian study, highlighted that ancient proteins provide molecular data crucial for clarifying evolutionary relationships, especially for species that have been extinct for millions of years. Proteins are more durable than DNA, making them valuable for research into the deep evolutionary past, including insights into the human lineage and possibly dinosaurs.
The research also explored the composition of tooth enamel, which is mainly made of a mineral called hydroxyapatite. Proteins that contribute to the formation of enamel can become preserved within it, adding a layer of possibility for future studies to uncover more about ancient species.
The discoveries from this research push the boundaries of a field known as paleoproteomics, showing that even with the age of these fossils, substantial molecular data can be recovered. The findings also suggest promising avenues for future exploration, particularly regarding our evolutionary ancestors and the broader tree of life.
This work exemplifies the resilience of scientific inquiry and the ongoing quest to understand our planet’s biological history, offering hope that as techniques evolve, we may continue to uncover deeper connections between ancient and modern life forms.
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