In a study published last Thursday (4) in the journal Science, a team of researchers discovered 459 different genomes present in the dental plaque of Neanderthals. In practice, the authors were able to recompose the genetic code of yet unknown bacteria up to 100,000 years old.
According to the scientists involved themselves, the analysis represents an important milestone, as it makes it possible to discover the vast genetic and chemical diversity of our microbial past. As the team says, the idea is to chart a path for the discovery of ancient natural products and inform their potential in future applications.
The study unfolded through the analysis of material from 12 Neanderthals dating from approximately 102,000 to 40,000 years ago; 34 humans from archaeological sites, estimated to be between 30,000 and 150 years old; in addition to 18 current humans.
The team was able to reconstruct several oral bacterial species, such as an unknown member of the genus Chlorobium, an organism found in the dental calculus of seven Paleolithic and Neanderthal humans.
The approach is the first to successfully bring back the function of ancient bacteria, while using dental plaque to reconstruct genomes has allowed researchers to study the microbiome of the human mouth from thousands of years ago.
The study opens doors to investigating microbial diversity lost and potentially for use in creating antibiotics, and to learning about the different functions and capabilities of genes.
Source: Science via IFL Science
