Name: 跟踪远古疾病——用牙垢
Uploaded: 2012-04-20T15:13:02Z
Duration: 5 min 14 s
Description: 想象一下我们通过研究人类疾病的历史可以学到什么。怎样研究呢？TED讲师克里斯蒂娜·华林娜，一位古遗传学家，发现了一种新工具——牙垢化石里的微生物DNA。

想象一下我们通过研究人类疾病的历史可以学到什么。怎样研究呢？TED讲师克里斯蒂娜·华林娜，一位古遗传学家，发现了一种新工具——牙垢化石里的微生物DNA。

跟踪远古疾病——用牙垢

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

克里斯蒂娜·华林娜: 跟踪远古疾病——用牙垢