Molecular Paleopathology: A Novel Perspective For Biomedical History
Authors
Laura Ottini
Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, History Section of Medicine, '' La Sapienza '' University of Rome
Ramona Lupi
Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, History Section of Medicine, '' La Sapienza '' University of Rome
Mario Falchetti
Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, History Section of Medicine, '' La Sapienza '' University of Rome
Gino Fornaciari
Department of Oncology, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Division of Pathology, Section of History of Medicine and Paleontology, University of Pisa
Renato Mariani-Costantini
Department of Oncology and Neuroscience Gabriele D'annunzio University, Chieti
Luciana Rita Angeletti
Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, History Section of Medicine, '' La Sapienza '' University of Rome
Keywords:
Paleopathology , Ancient DNA, Infectious diseases, Neoplastic diseases
Abstract
Molecular Paleopathology is an emerging field that is devoted to the detection,identification and characterization of the molecular signatures in the past diseases. When studied with modern molecular techniques,ancient human remains may yield direct informations on the diseases of ancient pulation as well as on 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 tissues can be deeply analyzed by using PCR-based molecular tecniques. 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.
