In this project we are planning to investigate the evolution of known and novel genetic and environmental causes of atherosclerosis. In particular, the presence and extent of atherosclerosis with genetic and environmental factors will be compared in different study populations. The populations are composed of artificial and natural mummies from cultures across the globe dating back to 6,000 years Before Present (BP). Additionally, the genomes of these populations will be compared to early human populations including Neanderthals and the Denisova hominid. The investigation techniques include the confirmation of phenotypic evidence for atherosclerosis in mummies by using x-ray computed tomography. Biopsy samples will be analysed through next generation sequencing and stable isotope analyses.
The results will be used to assess atherosclerotic burden in past populations and with the genomic analysis the genomes of the studied populations can be correlated to the phenotype.
PERIOD: 29.09.2014 - 31.12.2019
PROJECT MANAGER/VICE PROJECT MANAGER: Wurst Christina/Zink Albert
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Columbia St. Mary's Hospital
- University of Vienna, Department of Computational Systems Biology
- Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, and University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, and University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Smithsonian , National Museum of Natural History
