Using dental calculus from Neanderthals and Palaeolithic humans, researchers have reconstructed ancient microbial genes and engineered modern bacteria to produce their previously unknown metabolites. The approach will allow natural product researchers to ‘add a new dimension and go back in time’ according to bioorganic chemist Pierre Stallforth from the Hans Knöll Institute in Jena, Germany, who led the project.
To read the full article, click here: https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/ancient-microbial-natural-products-reconstructed-from-neanderthal-dental-plaques/4017421.article
Ada McVean 