Omics for Precious Rare Biosamples: Characterization of Ancient Human Hair by a Proteomic Approach

The study developed an optimized proteomic approach to analyze ancient hair proteins, specifically keratins, using minimal raw material. By testing and adapting three protocols and nanoLC-MS/MS parameters on modern hair, the researchers identified the most effective workflow. This method was successfully applied to a 3880-year-old archeological hair sample, identifying 11 ancient hair proteins from just 500 μg of material. The findings provided insights into hair protein preservation and could facilitate future applications requiring small sample amounts in both archeometrical and other scientific studies.