PUSHH — Palaeoproteomics to Unleash Studies on Human History

Results in brief

Palaeoproteomics to Unleash Studies on Human History

Between 2020 and 2024 the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Training Network (ETN) "PUSHH - Palaeoproteomics to Unleash Studies on Human History" provided international doctoral training on palaeoproteomics applied to palaeontology, palaeoanthropology and archaeology. Sequencing ancient proteins is currently the only effective method for obtaining the genetic data needed to determine the evolutionary relationships of vertebrate species that vanished millions of years ago. The momentum within ancient biomolecules research is outstripping the ability to deliver comprehensive training programmes at the national level. Today, individual research units within Europe are mainly recognised for their specific strengths either in proteomic research in the biopharma sector, or in (micro)morphometrical observation of fossils and ancient artefacts. As a consequence, students are being forced to specialise at too early a stage, often without a full understanding of the impressive growth of the discipline and its intersecting elements. The PUSHH ETN started to fill these advanced training gaps in palaeoproteomics, by preparing a cohort of specialists in analysis of ancient protein residues from paleontological, palaeoanthropological and archaeological materials. PUSHH also guided the ESRs to develop the advanced interdisciplinary knowledge required to achieve seamless integration of palaeoproteomics with the established principles and practices of cultural heritage restoration and conservation. Finally, PUSHH defined a coherent training environment where interdisciplinary knowledge, as well as specific research-related and transferable skills, contributed to scaffold the ESRs’ professional thinking. The mind-set (or “forma mentis”) the PUSHH alumni acquired during their early-stage training experience will strongly affect their future professional practice.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

PUSHH will provide international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary doctoral training to prepare the next generation of palaeoanthropologists, palaeontologists and archaeologists to push knowledge on human biological and cultural evolution forward by using palaeoproteomics.Ancient DNA (aDNA) sequencing revolutionised our knowledge on evolution, migration and admixture of archaic and anatomically modern humans. However, no aDNA older than 0.7 million years has been retrieved yet. Ancient proteins instead survive much longer than aDNA, enabling molecular-based phylogeny beyond the limits of aDNA degradation. They can also be recovered from cultural heritage objects, helping to understand how they were made. Presently though, there are very few specialists that have been trained to analyse ancient proteins, in stark contrast to the study of aDNA. The growing demand of information provided by palaeoproteomics will require highly qualified specialists with a multidisciplinary background in analytical chemistry, bioinformatics, palaeoanthropology, palaeontology and archaeology and PUSHH will build that competence.The PUSHH network aims at:(i) forming, through research-based training, the professional profiles behind tomorrow’s state-of-the-art analysis of ancient proteins from palaeoanthropological, palaeontological and archaeological materials,(ii) consolidating existing constructive interaction across disciplines to focus different expertise and backgrounds into the common aim of advancing palaeoanthropology and archaeology,(iii) stimulating the development of an application-oriented mindset for direct or indirect exploitation of PUSHH R&D activities, through the right set of specific research-related and transferable skills.As a key PUSHH feature, the unique contribution provided by each participating institution will be integrated in a strong partnership to achieve valuable complementary research-specific and widely transferrable professional competence.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNCoordinatorDenmark
CENTRO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACION SOBRE LA EVOLUCION HUMANA · BurgosSpain
COLLEGE DE FRANCE · PARISFrance
DEVRO PLC · Modiesburn ChrystonUnited Kingdom
MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV · MUNCHENGermany
UNIVERSIDAD POMPEU FABRA · BarcelonaSpain
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE · FlorenceItaly
UNIVERSITE DE BORDEAUX · BordeauxFrance
UNIVERSITE PARIS CITE · ParisFrance
UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN · BergenNorway
UNIVERSITY OF YORK · YORK NORTH YORKSHIREUnited Kingdom

PUSHH · Palaeoproteomics to Unleash Studies on Human History

Results in brief

Palaeoproteomics to Unleash Studies on Human History

Project objective

Participants

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