Imagine o que poderíamos aprender sobre doenças ao estudar a história da doença humana, desde hominídeos ancestrais até o presente. Mas como? Christina Warinner, parceira do TED, é uma geneticista arqueológica, e ela encontrou uma  nova ferramenta espetacular -- o DNA microbial em placa dental fossilizada.

Christina Warinner: Rastreando doenças ancestrais utilizando... placa dental

Fossilized dental plaque, or dental calculus, is a rich archive of ancient health information. Researchers have discovered that this substance preserves DNA and proteins from bacteria, diet, and the human immune system, sometimes in quantities up to 600 milligrams on ancient teeth. By studying these traces, scientists can reconstruct the dynamic interplay of diet, infection, and immunity over thousands of years. This approach moves beyond bones and mummies, offering a new window into the evolutionary roots of modern disease.

Fossilized Dental Plaque Reveals Secrets Of Ancient Disease

TED Fellows

ancient world

bacteria

evolution

medicine

paleontology

science

biology

anthropology

disease

food

genetics

history

health

innovation

TED Stage Talk

Christina Warinner: Christina Warinner: Rastreando doenças ancestrais utilizando... placa dental