A5048060857- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Geological formations and processes
- Biochemical and Molecular Research
- Bone health and treatments
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Race, Genetics, and Society
- Digestive system and related health
- Bone Tumor Diagnosis and Treatments
- Skin Protection and Aging
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
University of Palermo
2014-2023
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
2014-2021
University of Bologna
2015-2019
University of Florence
2006-2012
Pompeu Fabra University
2006-2012
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva
2012
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
2012
Universitat de Barcelona
2007
Leipzig University
2007
University of Siena
2007
The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) regulates pigmentation in humans and other vertebrates. Variants of MC1R with reduced function are associated pale skin color red hair primarily European origin. We amplified sequenced a fragment the gene ( mc1r ) from two Neanderthal remains. Both specimens have mutation that was not found ∼3700 modern analyzed. Functional analyses show this variant reduces activity to level alters and/or humans. impaired suggests Neanderthals varied levels, potentially on...
Modern humans have populated Europe for more than 45,000 years
Hunter-gatherers living in Europe during the transition from late Pleistocene to Holocene intensified food acquisition by broadening range of resources exploited include marine taxa. However, little is known on nature this dietary change Mediterranean Basin. A key area investigate issue archipelago Ègadi Islands, most which were connected Sicily until early Holocene. The site Grotta d'Oriente, present-day island Favignana, was occupied hunter-gatherers when Postglacial environmental changes...
Trade and colonization caused an unprecedented increase in Mediterranean human mobility the first millennium BCE. Often seen as a dividing force, warfare is fact another catalyst of culture contact. We provide insight into demographic dynamics ancient by reporting genome-wide data from fifth-century soldiers who fought for army Greek Sicilian colony Himera, along with representatives civilian population, nearby indigenous settlements, 96 present-day individuals Italy Greece. Unlike rest...
Abstract Background The aurochs ( Bos primigenius ) was a large bovine that ranged over almost the entirety of Eurasian continent and North Africa. It is wild ancestor modern cattle taurus ), went extinct in 1627 probably as consequence human hunting progressive reduction its habitat. To investigate detail genetic history this species to compare population dynamics different European areas, we analysed remains from various sites across Italy. Results Fourteen samples provided ancient DNA...
Abstract Background Bos primigenius , the aurochs, is wild ancestor of modern cattle breeds and was formerly widespread across Eurasia northern Africa. After a progressive decline, species became extinct in 1627. The origin taurine Europe debated. Archaeological early genetic evidence point to single Near Eastern subsequent spread during diffusion herding farming. More recent data are instead compatible with local domestication events or at least some level introgression from aurochs. Here...
The high frequency (around 0.70 worldwide) and the relatively young age (between 14,000 62,000 years) of a derived group haplotypes, haplogroup D, at microcephalin (MCPH1) locus led to proposal that D originated in human lineage separated from modern humans >1 million years ago, evolved under strong positive selection, passed into gene pool by an episode admixture circa 37,000 ago. geographic distribution with marked differences between Africa Eurasia, suggested archaic form admixing...
Evolution on islands, together with the often extreme phenotypic changes associated it, has attracted much interest from evolutionary biologists. However, measuring rate of change traits extinct animals can be challenging, in part due to incompleteness fossil record. Here, we use combined molecular and evidence define minimum maximum dwarfing an Mediterranean dwarf elephant Puntali Cave (Sicily).1Ferretti M.P. The Palaeoloxodon mnaidriensis Cave, Carini (Sicily; late Middle Pleistocene):...
Recently, the study of mitochondrial variability in ancient humans has allowed definition population dynamics that characterised Europe Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene. Despite abundance sites skeletal remains few data are available for Italy.We reconstructed genomes three Upper Palaeolithic individuals some most important Italian archaeological contexts: Paglicci (South-Eastern Italy), San Teodoro (South-Western Italy) Arene Candide (North-Western caves.We explored phylogenetic...
A series of studies have documented how Steppe pastoralist-related ancestry reached central Europe by at least 2500 BCE, while Iranian farmer-related was present in Aegean 1900 BCE. However, the spread these ancestries into western Mediterranean where they contributed to many populations living today remains poorly understood. We generated genome-wide ancient DNA from Balearic Islands, Sicily, and Sardinia, increasing number individuals with reported data islands 3 52. obtained oldest...
Sicily is one of the main islands Mediterranean Sea, and it characterized by a variety archaeological records, material culture traditions, reflecting history migrations populations' interaction since its first colonization, during Paleolithic. These deep complex demographic cultural dynamics should have affected genomic landscape at different levels; however, relative impact these on structure differentiation within island remains largely unknown. The available Sicilian modern genetic data...
Abstract Grotta d’Oriente, a small coastal cave located on the island of Favignana (Sicily, Italy) is key site for study early human colonization Sicily. The individual known as Oriente C was found in lower portion an anthropogenic deposit containing typical local Late Upper Palaeolithic (Late Epigravettian) stone assemblages. Two radiocarbon dates charcoal from burial are consistent with archaeological context and refer to period spanning about 14,200-13,800 cal. BP. Anatomical features...
The main goal of this study is to increase knowledge on the molecular level ABO blood group system in Europe by providing data for Poland, Spain, and Andorra populations.A total 172 oral scrapings samples from individuals Polish origin, 108 peripheral autochthonous province Zamora (Spain), 81 with Andorran were analyzed. Molecular characterization allelic variants was performed analysis exons 6 7 gene.Seven common alleles identified, namely: A101, A102, A201, B101, O01, O02, O03. Less (O05,...