Sequenced protein 55,000 years

2003/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Biokimika

To study the evolution of species, scientists usually use bone morphology. Now, researchers at the University of Newcastle have discovered how to get more information. In fact, from the bison bones (Bison priscus) taken in Alaska and Siberia have taken the osteocalcin protein and have discovered the amino acid sequence of this protein.

For the sequencing of the protein, a method similar to the one currently used for the analysis of genetic material has been used. They say that comparing the sequences of some proteins can know as much data as DNA, so researchers believe that it can be useful to study the evolution of species. DNA lasts very little time and proteins can last up to 10 million years in certain circumstances.