Carina Schlebusch is combining archaeology, genetics and biochemistry with the aim of discovering how human genes have adapted to changing lifestyles over thousands of years.
Prehistoric DNA from skeletal remains in Africa can provide answers to questions about diet, disease and survival, and perhaps even offer clues about humanity’s future health.
The goal now is to understand how the transition to agriculture affected people’s health and diet and how humans adapted genetically to their new lifestyle. Schlebusch sees parallels with our own time.
“When contemporary hunter-gatherers move into cities, they often develop health problems such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Our bodies are adapted to scarcity, not abundance. By understanding how our ancestors coped with change, we can better understand our own challenges.”
Carina’s research, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is featured in an article on the foundation’s website.
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Extended Wallenberg Fellowship for Carina Schlebusch
02 Dec 2024
