Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there were ancient humans called Neanderthals. These Neanderthals had a secret hidden in their teeth – bacteria!

But not just any ordinary bacteria, these were special, lost bacteria that could help create new antibiotics. Can you believe it?

Clever Scientist

• One clever scientist named Christina Warinner, who was like a detective of old germs, wanted to unlock the mysteries of these ancient bacteria. She found some fossilized dental plaque, also known as tartar, on the teeth of Neanderthals. This dental plaque had turned into rock over time, just like magic!
• Warinner used her special techniques to study this ancient tartar. She discovered that dental plaque is the only part of the body that turns into a fossil while you’re still alive. Amazing, right? Inside the tartar, she found tiny DNA fragments from different bacteria. It was like a treasure hunt!
• She examined dental plaque from not only Neanderthals but also from other ancient and modern humans. She discovered that each person has their own special set of bacteria living in their mouth. These bacteria form what is called an oral microbiome, and they can vary depending on where a person lives.

Funny Part

• But here’s the funny part: some of the bacteria found in the Neanderthals’ tartar were completely extinct! They didn’t exist anymore in people’s mouths today. Warinner thought these bacteria might have come from drinking water in caves where the Neanderthals lived. Maybe they didn’t have fancy toothbrushes like we do now!
• By studying these ancient bacteria, scientists hope to develop new medicines. They found some genes in the bacteria that are responsible for creating specific compounds. These compounds could be turned into antibiotics to fight against harmful germs. It’s like the bacteria are secretly helping us fight off bad guys!
• You see, we humans have been using antibiotics for a long time, but we haven’t discovered many new ones recently. We’re running out of options! That’s why these lost bacteria from the Neanderthals are so exciting. They might hold the key to creating new and powerful antibiotics to keep us healthy.
• So, next time you brush your teeth, remember that your mouth is full of fascinating bacteria, just like the Neanderthals. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll become a scientist like Christina Warinner and discover something incredible hidden in the tiniest places!

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