Articles: Proteomes of the Past: The Pursuit of Proteins in Paleontology
Brian Thomas, Stephen Taylor Mass Spectrometry Group, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
(PDF) 2019
Abstract: Despite an extensive published literature, skepticism over the claim of original biochem-icals including proteins preserved in the fossil record persists and the issue remains controversial. Workers using many different techniques including mass spectrometry, X-ray, electron microscopy and optical spectroscopic techniques, have attempted to verify proteinaceous or other biochemicals that appear endogenous to fossils found throughout the geologic column.
Areas covered: This paper presents a review of the relevant literature published over the last 50 years. A comparative survey of the reported techniques used is also given.
Expert opinion: Morphological and molecular investigations show that original biochemistry is geologically extensive, geographically global, and taxonomically wide-ranging. The survival of endogenous organics in fossils remains the subject of widespread and increasing research investigation.
Keywords: Fossils; paleontology; proteins; collagen; biochemistry; immunohistochemistry; mass spectrometry; X-ray; FTIR; optical spectroscopy