Palaeoproteomic exploration of mammalian evolution over the last 60 million years

The project will address fundamental questions about human evolution, as well as the explosive diversification and global expansion of mammals following the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, which occurred around 66 million years ago. Among the most fascinating examples of mammalian adaptation is the increase in volume and structural reorganization of the hominid brain. This ultimately enabled advanced cognitive thinking and complex social behavior in humans. So far, the underlying processes have only been studied in broad terms, and almost exclusively using classical comparative anatomy. The project will retrieve genetic information up to 60 million years old using innovative paleo-proteomic methods based on mass spectrometry. This will enable an unprecedented level of detail in the understanding of these important evolutionary processes.