Project description
Unlocking human evolution through ancient proteins
Human evolution is traditionally studied through fossil morphology and ancient DNA. While advanced knowledge on DNA has transformed the field, it is often degraded and difficult to recover, limiting its use for studying human evolution in more depth. Ancient proteins preserved in bones and teeth hold untapped potential as they can survive longer and in more diverse environments. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BONETAG project will pioneer a new approach that generates evolutionary insights from small, morphologically uninformative bone fragments that are often overlooked in excavations. Researchers will employ advanced palaeoproteomics and sequence proteins of a rare fossil collection from Neanderthals and Denisovans, even in samples where DNA analysis failed. The project will also develop computational tools to enable reliable species identification.
Objective
Ancient biomolecules have revolutionized our understanding of human evolution. Ancient proteins, in particular, preserve longer than DNA and have the potential to provide crucial insights into the evolution and demise of archaic hominins. The emerging field of palaeoproteomics, which studies ancient proteins, has mostly focused on the analyses of dental material and complete bones. However, smaller bone fragments that are morphologically uninformative—often the most common type of excavated fossil remains— remain an untapped source of important evolutionary information. BONETAG aims to utilize these fragments using recent technological advances and a unique fossil collection, and study the proteins preserved in the bones of our closest archaic relatives: Neanderthals and Denisovans. This will involve comprehensive proteomic sequencing of bones from archaic populations, some of which are linked to high-quality genetic data. BONETAG is the first project that compares ancient DNA and protein data from the same individuals in a comprehensive way. The project will initially focus on the extraction of bone proteins using a series of protocols to enhance protein recovery. This will be followed by the development of a computational method to differentiate the proteomic sequences of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans. Finally, the two workflows will be applied to a collection of hominin bone fragments that have previously failed DNA analyses but show positive signs of protein preservation. The results, as well as the workflows developed during BONETAG will be shared with the palaeoproteomic community. This will allow researchers in regions with poor DNA preservation to utilize proteins, and achieve reliable taxonomic identifications of morphologically uninformative bone fragments. By providing such broadly applicable tools and methodologies, BONETAG will significantly advance our understanding of Human Evolution and ensure that no fossil remains unexplored.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- humanities history and archaeology archaeology ethnoarchaeology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- social sciences sociology anthropology physical anthropology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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1010 Wien
Austria
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