Authors
Judith Neukamm, Saskia Pfrengle, Martyna Molak, Alexander Seitz, Michael Francken, Partick Eppenberger, Charlotte Avanzi, Ella Reiter, Christian Urban, Beatrix Welte, Philipp W Stockhammer, Barbara Teßmann, Alexander Herbig, Katerina Harvati, Kay Nieselt, Johannes Krause, Verena J Schuenemann
Publication date
2020/12
Journal
BMC biology
Volume
18
Pages
1-18
Publisher
BioMed Central
Description
Background
Recent advances in sequencing have facilitated large-scale analyses of the metagenomic composition of different samples, including the environmental microbiome of air, water, and soil, as well as the microbiome of living humans and other animals. Analyses of the microbiome of ancient human samples may provide insights into human health and disease, as well as pathogen evolution, but the field is still in its very early stages and considered highly challenging.
Results
The metagenomic and pathogen content of Egyptian mummified individuals from different time periods was investigated via genetic analysis of the microbial composition of various tissues. The analysis of the dental calculus’ microbiome identified Red Complex bacteria, which are correlated with periodontal diseases. From bone and soft tissue, genomes of two ancient pathogens, a 2200-year-old Mycobacterium leprae strain and a …
Total citations
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