Summary
Palaeoproteomics has the potential to resolve some of the big questions in palaeoanthropology and human evolution, as proteins have been found to preserve over long time periods in the archaeological record, and contain phylogenetically relevant information. However, as this is a relatively new field of research, method optimization and gaining further understanding of ancient proteomes is necessary, to gain robust and reliable results with minimal destruction to rare ancient fossils. To this end, PROMISE (PRoteomic Optimization of Methods for ancIent Skeletal Elements) aims to improve palaeoproteomic analyses by developing and thoroughly assessing methods for removing modern contamination from ancient specimens, releasing proteins from the mineral matrix of bones and teeth, and understanding the effect that postmortem microbial bioerosion has on ancient skeletal proteomes. Finally, these optimised methods will be applied to study Middle and Late Pleistocene Levantine hominins. The Levant is essential for understanding human migration out of Africa, as well as interactions between different contemporaneous hominin populations, but is a challenging area of study for ancient DNA, warranting further palaeoproteomic method development. PROMISE will advance methods for the entire field of palaeoproteomics, as well as the study of human evolution. PROMISE will be conducted in a dynamic international research environment, providing the fellow with essential skills setting them up for a successful future career as a researcher in archaeological science.
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| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101106627 |
| Start date: | 01-12-2023 |
| End date: | 30-11-2025 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 214 934,00 Euro |
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Original description
Palaeoproteomics has the potential to resolve some of the big questions in palaeoanthropology and human evolution, as proteins have been found to preserve over long time periods in the archaeological record, and contain phylogenetically relevant information. However, as this is a relatively new field of research, method optimization and gaining further understanding of ancient proteomes is necessary, to gain robust and reliable results with minimal destruction to rare ancient fossils. To this end, PROMISE (PRoteomic Optimization of Methods for ancIent Skeletal Elements) aims to improve palaeoproteomic analyses by developing and thoroughly assessing methods for removing modern contamination from ancient specimens, releasing proteins from the mineral matrix of bones and teeth, and understanding the effect that postmortem microbial bioerosion has on ancient skeletal proteomes. Finally, these optimised methods will be applied to study Middle and Late Pleistocene Levantine hominins. The Levant is essential for understanding human migration out of Africa, as well as interactions between different contemporaneous hominin populations, but is a challenging area of study for ancient DNA, warranting further palaeoproteomic method development. PROMISE will advance methods for the entire field of palaeoproteomics, as well as the study of human evolution. PROMISE will be conducted in a dynamic international research environment, providing the fellow with essential skills setting them up for a successful future career as a researcher in archaeological science.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01-01Update Date
31-07-2023
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