Ötzi

Using a variety of samples and methods, the researchers were able to differentiate which microorganisms were already present in the body during his lifetime and which only colonized it after his death – both during the time in the glacier and over three decades of preservation. In samples of internal tissue, the researchers were able to detect genetic material from bacteria belonging to Ötzi’s original gut flora. A surprising finding is the presence of cold-adapted yeast species, likely originating from the glacial environment, that have persisted on Ötzi’s body to the present day. These cold-tolerant yeasts may also hold potential for industrial applications. The study was published in the reputable Microbiome journal.

The analysis of ancient DNA from individuals who lived between approximately 8,000 and 3,500 years ago in the eastern Italian Alps reveals changes over time in the genomic structure of prehistoric alpine groups and the genetic impact of migrations that occurred in western Eurasia since prehistory.

Ötzi's genome was decoded for the first time more than 10 years ago. It was also the first time that the genome of a mummy had been sequenced. These results provided important insights into the genetic makeup of prehistoric Europeans. Advances in sequencing technology since then have now enabled a research team from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Eurac Research to reconstruct his genome more accurately. The results of this recent analysis complete the Iceman’s genetic picture and cast aside some older theories: no genetic traces of the Steppe Herders from Eastern Europe were found in Ötzi's genome. In contrast, Ötzi’s genome has an unusually high proportion of genes in common with those of early farmers from Anatolia compared to other contemporary Europeans. In addition, the study yielded entirely new findings about the Iceman’s appearance that call into question his iconic portrayal: at the time of his death, Ötzi almost certainly did not have thick long hair, instead he had advanced hair loss and may have even been bald. Furthermore, his skin was darker than previously thought. Ötzi’s genes also show a predisposition to diabetes and obesity. These findings have just been published in Cell Genomics.

A tre decenni dal suo ritrovamento, molti segreti sull’Uomo venuto dal ghiaccio sono stati risolti: ora sappiamo come e dove visse, come morì, quale fu il suo ultimo pasto, quali malattie lo tormentavano. Il 20 settembre, Eurac Research organizza il convegno digitale “Iceman-quo vadis”. Esperte ed esperti parleranno del potenziale ancora inesplorato della ricerca su Ötzi.