The chase for Neanderthal DNA and what we can learn from it
I read a lot, and most of the time, there's a specific reason behind my choice of books—be it seeking knowledge or inspiration. However, on rare occasions, I indulge in reading purely as a hobby. One such occasion recently led me to a treasure trove of inspiration and admiration. During one of my frequent visits to the Zoo Rostock—visits that have become a regular part of life since becoming the proud father of two—I stumbled upon the book "Neanderthal Man: In Search of Lost Genomes" (I was actually reading the German version, "Die Neandertaler und wir").
A Swedish Doctor's Admiration for Mummies
It may sound odd, but this is the story of Svante Pääbo. Early in his life, he developed a passion for ancient Egypt and began studying Egyptology, but he soon decided to attend medical school. However, he maintained a connection with his first love during this time. This shows how deeply Svante Pääbo follows his instincts and stays true to his passions, interests, and principles. He completed medical school in Uppsala, Sweden, and chose science over becoming a doctor.
Creating Your Field of Science
That's exactly what he did. Concealed from his colleagues, he started his initial experiments to extract DNA from a mummy—and succeeded. This marked the beginning of his journey to extract DNA from fossils, including mammoth, ancient bears, and eventually Neanderthals and Denisovans.
A Stand-Up Man and Team Player
Following his story, you encounter many obstacles. Anyone who has ever been involved in scientific research can empathize with the frustration and desperation at certain points. And this is where the book, and Svante Pääbo himself, truly inspired me: No matter how daunting the obstacle, he always finds a way over it. He isn't just persistent; he's also creative and continually leveraged his extensive network to create opportunities. His drive to solve problems seems unstoppable.
Learning Between the Lines
Svante Pääbo doesn’t instruct you on how to handle adversity or become a top performer in your field. Instead, his book simply shares the story of a man who had a purpose and pursued it relentlessly. It teaches that finding your own path often involves collaboration. We are surrounded by many supportive individuals, all striving towards their goals and success. Communication is crucial to achieving these goals.
The story of Svante Pääbo, and the broader story of humanity, shows us that every task, challenge, and goal is a team sport. It also highlights the importance of being grounded and aware of your own limitations, as there is no growth without recognizing your own areas for improvement.
Lastly, it's inspiring to read about the resilience of his entire team. Continuing your work after a significant setback, like a competitor publishing similar results just days or weeks earlier because you needed to make your data more thorough, can be devastating. Yet, it can also be a source of great energy and inspiration, as shown by how Svante Pääbo and his team handled these long-term challenges.
The life's work of Svante Pääbo and his group has truly inspired me, and beyond that, it's just a fascinating story about our cousins/ancestors from Neanderthal. I learned many new things and it significantly changed my view on our own species.