Development of a novel minimally invasive sampling and analysis technique for bioarchaeological proteomics

ABSTRACT: Here we present the development of a novel minimally invasive sample preparation technique for application in the mass spectrometric analysis of bioarchaeological materials. The extraction protocol was developed by applying commercially available, dermatology grade skin sampling strips to modern skin surfaces as a surrogate, and then applied to cranial and bone fragments belonging to a 26th Dynasty Egyptian mummified individual from the coffin of a woman named Mer-Neith-it-es. Extracted proteins were subjected to electrophoretic separation and proteolytic digestion, resulting in peptides that were separated, fragmented and identified using nanoflow liquid chromatography - high resolution tandem mass spectrometry. We have identified a number of ancient brain and intracellular proteins on the surfaces of the various cranial and bone fragments, without causing any significant damage to these valuable remains.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

SUBMITTER: Dylan Multari  

LAB HEAD: Paul Andrew Haynes

PROVIDER: PXD029003 | Pride | 2022-04-06

REPOSITORIES: Pride