Nanoscopic imaging of ancient protein and vasculature offers insight into soft tissue and biomolecule fossilization.

ABSTRACT: Fossil bones have been studied by paleontologists for centuries. Despite this, empirical knowledge regarding the progression of biomolecular (soft) tissue diagenesis within ancient bone is limited; this is particularly the case for specimens spanning Pleistocene directly into pre-Ice Age strata. A nanoscopic approach is reported herein that facilitates direct imaging, and thus empirical observation, of soft tissue preservation state. Presented data include the first extensive nanoscopic (up to 150,000× magnification), three-dimensional (3D) images of ancient bone protein and vasculature; chemical signals consistent with collagen protein and membrane lipids, respectively, are also localized to these structures. These findings support the analyzed permafrost bones are not fully fossilized bu

SUBMITTER: Anderson LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11404208 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature