New insight into ancient proteins

[LadyStanley]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160615151909.htm

A few snippets of protein extracted from the fossil of an extinct species of giant beaver are opening a new door in paleoproteomics, the study of ancient proteins. Ancient proteins can be used to place animals on the evolutionary tree, and could offer insights into how life and Earth's environment have evolved over time. Typically, paleoproteomics relies on fossils collected for the purpose. But in a paper published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) used a fossil collected more than 170 years ago in central New York, and housed at the New York State Museum.

"Paleoproteomics is a young field. We don't yet know the full potential of the information it may offer us, and one barrier to that is the supply of fossils we can call upon for research," said Deepak Vashishth, professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Rensselaer Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. "In developing these techniques, we're creating new value in fossils that are already on exhibit, or sitting in storage waiting for a purpose."

Interesting.

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