Finding the Origin of Human Disease

We're still trying to eradicate diseases that have plagued humans for centuries. References to malaria, for instance, have been found in recorded history in 2700 BC China. Riaan Rifkin, a prehistoric archaeologist, together with geneticists at the University of Pretoria, South Africa gets down to the root of origins of human disease pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa, the cradle of mankind. He and his team are trying to pin down the origins of human disease and establish a sub-Saharan African disease baseline that precedes the exodus of Homo sapiens from Africa 65000 years ago and, perhaps, to also assist in the discovery of novel cures to old diseases that still plague us today. Read our interview with Rifkin and follow the group's work in this project on ResearchGate. ResearchGate: What drew you to this particular question of the disease baseline? Riaan Rifkin: As an anthropologist and prehistoric archaeologist I am fascinated by the origins of human disease pathogens in Africa. During my PhD research I had the opportunity to perform several experimental studies and clinical trials aimed to explore the efficacy of red ochre as a sunscreen, insect repellent and as an animal skin preservative. Learning about the adverse effects of excessive sunlight and disease-bearing mosquitoes on prehistoric human health was captivating. I soon realised, however, that current models and published literature concerning Pleistocene disease prevalence provide inadequate information concernin...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - Category: Science Source Type: news