Pääbo is a specialist in evolutionary genetics. His research provided important insights into human evolution and greatly expanded our understanding of extinct human species.
Humanity has always been fascinated by its origins. where we come from, how we are related to the species that preceded us and how different we are, sane manWho are other humans?
His groundbreaking research enabled Svante Papu to achieve what seemed impossible: mapping the genome – the genetic material – of Neanderthals, a relative of today’s extinct humans. He also made an exciting discovery, a hitherto unknown human species, a Denisovan.
Importantly, Pääbo discovered that there had been a transfer of genes from these two now-extinct human species to sane man. In other words, after migrating out of Africa about 70,000 years ago, modern humans mixed with Neanderthals and Denisovans in Eurasia. The ancient genes that modern humans acquired in this way are still relevant today, for example, influencing how our immune system responds to infection.
Pääbo’s original research led to the creation of an entirely new scientific discipline: paleontology. By revealing the genetic differences that distinguish all living humans from extinct humans, his discoveries provide the basis for exploring what is unique about humans.
