U of S Scientists to Analyze Bacterial DNA in 550-Year-Old Hunter?s Frozen Remains

Posted December 08, 2000


Three University of Saskatchewan researchers have joined scientists from
around the world to conduct detailed studies on the 550-year-old frozen
remains of a hunter found at the edge of a remote glacier in British
Columbia.

The U of S project ? one of 10 different studies underway in Canada,
Britain, the U.S. and Australia ? is aimed at learning what diseases were
present in the area at the time.

Microbiologist Harry Deneer has teamed up with anthropologist Ernie Walker
and graduate student Treena Swanston to perform microbial DNA analysis on a
variety of tissues from the hunter?s body to determine how present-day
bacteria have evolved from ones from the 1400s.

They will extract bacterial DNA from very small tissue samples taken from
the hunter, and analyze the DNA sequences of the microbes to identify any
disease-causing as well as non-pathogenic bacteria that may be present.

By comparing the bacteria that inhabited the body 550 years ago to modern
micro-organisms, the researchers anticipate being able to detect differences
in certain genes.

"That?s useful in determining what environmental pressures may cause
organisms to change over time," said Deneer. "What we hope to find out is
what gene sequences are more prone to evolve and this could help predict how
disease-causing organisms may evolve in future."

The hunter?s remains and his walking stick, woven cedar hat, spear-thrower
and leather pouch were found by modern-day hunters last August. Local First
Nations people named the find Kwaday Dan Sinchi meaning "long ago person
found."

The terms under which the human biology studies will proceed was worked out
under an agreement between the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and the
B.C. government. The First Nations are also leading several cultural
research projects. The agreement ensures cultural concerns are respected
while recognizing the significant potential of the discovery for learning
about the past.

Tissues to be used in the U of S research were obtained in September. Should
any tissues not be used for research, they will be returned to B.C. for
burial in the near future.

The team will begin work shortly to extract the DNA and make multiple copies
in order to study microbial gene sequences. At the completion of this
project, the results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed
journal. Until the results are found acceptable through this peer review
process, it will not be possible to provide specific details of results.
Results aren?t expected for up to a year.

Deneer said it?s very exciting to be involved in this project, particularly
because DNA analysis of ancient remains is still a relatively new field. He
noted the U of S has significant expertise in the area of microbial DNA
analysis, particularly through the Clinical Microbiology Department at Royal
University Hospital.

According to the B.C. government, initial radiocarbon dating indicates the
artifacts are roughly 550 years old, predating Christopher Columbus? voyage
to the New World, as well as being 300 years before first known European
contact on the Northwest Coast.

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For more information, contact:

Harry Deneer
Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology
University of Saskatchewan
1-306-655-1782
deneer@duke.usask.ca

Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
1-306-966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
"Investing in Ideas" ? U of S Research
http://www.usask.ca/research