Dr. Carney Matheson
Education:
Biomolecular Degradation
The biochemistry of molecular degradation and the processes involved like necrosis and apoptosis, are integral to our understanding of the nature and structure of biomolecules. An understanding of these degraded biomolecules will aid in their successful retrieval and analysis. Methods to detect types of damage present, helps identify the molecular processes in which these molecules have undergone. While the repair of biomolecules recovered from degraded tissues, such as forensic and arcaheological remains, helps to retrieve greater amounts of information. Particularly the information that can be recovered from nucleic acids (nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, viral and messenger RNA).
Archaeological & Forensic Residue Analysis
The microscopic and biochemical analysis of archaeological and forensic biological residues involves the analysis of trace quantities of material, in particular residues on implements and artifacts. Biological materials present an opportunity to characterize the trace remains using microscopy, biochemical, chemical and immunological analyses, and potentially nucleic acid analysis. The analysis of blood (red blood cells), collagen, tissue, cells and hair residues can identify the tissue type and genus of origin, and use-wear markings on tools can suggest the task performed. Plant residues found on archaeological stone tools, ceramics and other artifacts can be analysed for phytoliths and starch grains and potentially nucleic acids to explore questions of diet, tool function (in conjunction with use-wear analysis) and elucidate past lifeways. Archaeological sediment analysis presents an opportunity to extract trace information in the apparent absence of biological preservation. Presence of plant remains, charcoal, bone fragments, ochre, plaster for example can provide significant contributions in the context of a site in understanding use of structural complexes.
Molecular Archaeology - Ancient DNA
Using molecular techniques developed by Dr Matheson, the successful extraction of nucleic acids from a wide range of biological tissues presents a wealth of opportunity to investigate questions of human, animal, microbes and plant genetics. Mitochondrial DNA helps elucidate population movements and familial relationships, while nuclear DNA can identify sex and anaylsis of short tandem repeat’s (STR’s) and Y-chromosomal STR’s, that have been adapted for small fragments of archaeological DNA, allow individuation of skeletal remains. Understanding the taphonomic process (physical, chemical and biological changes post-mortem) that affect the state and preservation of ancient or degraded DNA in biological remains is integral to the success in recovery of ancient DNA.
Molecular Paleopathology
Molecular pathology and palaeopathology explores the molecular confirmation or identification of disease in ancient, modern and archived biological samples. The design and development of techniques for disease identification in degraded biological remains and improvement in detection sensitivity for application to archival samples also have implications for less invasive clinical testing. Dr Matheson’s research explores inherited and infectious (parasitic, bacterial and viral) diseases using molecular markers on archival and archaeological remains. These avenues of research focus on the history of the disease, its frequency in the past and evolutionary changes in the host and pathogen through temporal and spatial frameworks. Medical archived specimens and ancient samples are the ideal static population for disease linkage studies for resistance genes to diseases.
Forensic Molecular Biology
Optimization of techniques to obtain macromolecules from degraded biological material has obvious implication for forensic science. Optimization of nucleic acid markers for archaeological material are perfectly suited to forensic analysis of degraded samples and biological material containing compounds that inhibit molecular techniques commonly used.
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