Biological Anthropology includes subfields such as Paleoanthropology, Primatology, and Forensic Anthropology. The Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR) study the subfield of molecular anthropology. Using an interdisciplinary approach to understand biomolecules from extant, forensic, historical, archaeological, and environmental materials to explore evolutionary links between populations over time. LMAMR’s research focuses on innovation and training towards conservation within the molecular and biological systems.
LMAMR’S research contributes to the broader themes of anthropology. For instance, the LMAMR did a study on evolution and ecology of the human gut microbiome. LMAMR addresses that nearly all studies of human evolution focused on the ten percent of our cells and only .7 percent of our genes that would be referred to as human (LMAMR). This specific study focused on addressing fundamental questions about the evolution and ecology of the human gut microbiome, by asking various questions that follow the broader themes of Anthropology. For instance, this study asked questions such as: how did the primate gut evolve and adapt to climate and habitat changes? Were certain microbes passed down, mother to child, forming a unique aspect of heritability? What role did microbes and their diverse genetic functions play as hominins expanded into new continents and as humans transitioned from low-density bands of hunter-gatherers to dense urban-dwelling populations reliant on industrial agriculture and globalized supply chains? How do gut microbiomes vary today among living populations, and what consequences do these differences have on health and disease? (LMAMR).
Another interesting study that the LMAMR research team has addressed is human migration and adaptation in extreme environments. In this study, the LMAMR studies various themes of anthropology such has history, archeological, and environmental factors. Further more, in this study LMAMR focused on the history of the Himalayan mountain range and the population migration. Focusing on conservation, this study focuses on the population history dating back to the earliest known human settlements (c. 3150 BP) to the establishment of the Tibetan Empire (ca. 1250 BP).
Another study from LMAMR that addresses themes in anthropology is the study of bimolecular analyses of skeletal remains in the circum-Caribbean across the historical divide (A.D. 1000-1800). This research study analyzes the characterization of aDNA from skeletal and dental calculus remains in order to better understand human migration and health in the ancient Caribbean. This study looks at the challenges associated with the successful recovery of aDNA from warm climates, which are characterized by high rates of biomolecular degradation (LMAMR).
The LMAMR contributes to the broader themes of anthropology through seeking out research that hopes to understand biocultural, ecological and evolutionary dimensions of life. Through the expansion of LMAMR’s research, they have had the success of studying various themes in anthropology using an interdisciplinary and innovative approach. Looking at different populations, LMAMR directly tests and refines multiple hypotheses in order to resolve ongoing debates about various issues in regard to subfields in biological anthropology. Exploring technical challenges, LMAMR explores various components and factors to produce substantial and credible research within the field of anthropology (LMAMR).
Sources Used:
Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and microbiome Research (LMAMR)
Molecular anthropology seems like a very interesting subfield since it is a combination of biochemistry, a hard science that is performed almost exclusively in the laboratory, and anthropology, a softer science with a lot of field work. It also seems like it could be used to study pretty much anything in anthropology as long as the molecules of the specimen are preserved and relatively unaltered. As you mentioned in your blog it can be used to study the evolutionary progress of humans and how that shaped culture, and how the environment affected past humans’ physical characteristics and how they behaved. It could also be used to study artifacts that pervious cultures left behind. For instance, the amount of a certain kind of plant or animal remains could indicate how important that particular artifact was to certain culture.
After reading your post, I realize how connected molecular anthropology is with other subfields of anthropology. I did my blog post on forensics which incorporates molecular and biological anthropology in almost all aspects of its work. The topic is almost intimidating with how detailed and webbed it is, and your blog post showcased the challenges! The Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research conducts some interesting studies, as you mentioned. The study of evolution and genetics directly relates to forensic anthropology as well. A lot of the time forensic scientists use their findings to further research on evolution and to make connections with specific characteristics on subjects. These ideas are also present in your post when the LMAMR was seeking to answers to heritability and genetic functions.
Hey! I really like this topic that you discussed on molecular anthropology. I did not realize how important molecular anthropology was and how great of an impact it has on our lives. Society really needs to have a better understanding of health as obesity rates are rising more and more each year. Gut health is part of the obesity epidemic. Understanding how our guts have developed over time may help in us understanding how to live healthier lives. It is very interesting how LMAMR also has studied the skeletal remains in the Caribbean as well as human migration in the Himalayan mountain range. I had no idea how many variations there could be in studies on molecular anthropology. The many dimensions of this subfield give us a better understanding of anthropology as a whole.
Hello!
So far from reading a couple of the blog posts, I really was interested on your topic of molecular anthropology. I found it cool how LAMAR’s molecular anthropology approach focuses on the conservation within the molecular systems. With the questions you listed that they ask, their research really can help and prevent certain diseases and illnesses which I think is the ultimate goal in anything we research about. Obviously we know so much about the human body but this research is something I would be interested in part taking to learn ore of the effects and outcomes using molecular anthropology. Molecular anthropology seems to be closely related with forensic anthropology. I think its so important to keep taking things and researching its evolution and consider the affects and components of the outcome.