Investigating protein survival into deep time and the potential of proteomics in palaeontology
Palaeoproteomics is a relatively new field of research in archaeological science, but has great potential for phylogenetic analysis of fossil taxa, particularly beyond the preservation limit of ancient DNA. This PhD collects proteomic data from a wide variety of fossils (e.g. bone, eggshell, soft tissue), from a range of localities (e.g. Pleistocene tar seeps, Antarctica) and ages (Holocene-Eocene). The resulting data is used to evaluate different proteomic methods for the successful retrieval of palaeo-proteins, and what these proteins can inform us about protein preservation mechanisms and use in phylogenetic reconstructions. Testing protein endogeneity is also considered, as this is a key area of research in palaeoproteomics. Different methods of screening samples for further proteomic analysis was assessed, and the use of enzymes other than trypsin, as well as gel-based extraction methods was investigated to maximise protein recovery. Protein survival is dependent on a number of factors, including environment, age and the substrate in which the proteomic information is preserved. The age of the fossil was found to be more of an influencing factor than the environment. A number of considerations are presented
Presslee, Samantha Louise
Investigating protein survival into deep time and the potential of proteomics in palaeontology. Palaeoproteomics is a relatively new field of research in archaeological science, but has great potential for phylogenetic analysis of fossil taxa, particularly beyond the preservation limit of ancient DNA. This PhD collects proteomic data from a wide variety of fossils (e.g. bone, eggshell, soft tissue), from a range of localities (e.g. Pleistocene tar seeps, Antarctica) and ages (Holocene-Eocene). The resulting data is used to evaluate different proteomic methods for the successful retrieval of palaeo-proteins, and what these proteins can inform us about protein preservation mechanisms and use in phylogenetic reconstructions. Testing protein endogeneity is also considered, as this is a key area of research in palaeoproteomics. Different methods of screening samples for further proteomic analysis was assessed, and the use of enzymes other than trypsin, as well as gel-based extraction methods was investigated to maximise protein recovery. Protein survival is dependent on a number of factors, including environment, age and the substrate in which the proteomic information is preserved. The age of the fossil was found to be more of an influencing factor than the environment. A number of considerations are presented
investigating protein survival deep time potential proteomics relatively_new field archaeological science great_potential phylogenetic analysis fossil taxon particularly beyond preservation limit ancient_dna phd collect data wide_variety fossil bone eggshell soft tissue range locality pleistocene age holocene result data_use evaluate_different method successful retrieval palaeo protein inform protein preservation mechanism use phylogenetic reconstruction testing protein also_consider key_area different_method screen sample analysis assess use enzyme well based extraction method_investigate maximise protein recovery protein survival dependent number_factor include environment age substrate information preserve age fossil find influence factor environment number consideration present