Arizona State University Regents Professor Anne Stone is set to deliver a groundbreaking presentation at the upcoming American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in Phoenix. Her talk, titled “(Re)Emerging Pathogens: Ancient Spillovers Teach Us About Modern Plagues,” offers a profound exploration of the evolutionary history of infectious diseases, with a keen focus on tuberculosis (TB). Stone utilizes cutting-edge genetic analyses of ancient DNA to unravel the complexities of how TB crossed species boundaries and traversed human populations throughout history, providing critical insights into the mechanisms driving the emergence and persistence of infectious diseases today.
Stone’s research delves into the ancient origins and transmission patterns of TB, a disease that has plagued humanity and a range of animal hosts for millennia. By extracting and sequencing DNA from archaeological remains, she reconstructs ancient pathogen genomes, allowing for a temporal analysis of infectious disease evolution that extends far beyond the scope of modern epidemiological studies. This paleogenomic approach not only reveals the history of the pathogen itself but also clarifies how ecological interactions and human societal changes have shaped disease trajectories over time.
A particularly striking discovery from Stone’s work involves the pre-Columbian introduction of TB into the Americas, which genetic data suggests occurred via multiple zoonotic spillover events from marine mammals, specifically seals. This finding challenges prior assumptions about the New World’s pathogen landscape, illustrating that TB’s entry into indigenous human populations was neither singular nor recent. These early spillovers were followed by extensive human-to-human transmission, which propagated the disease inland, ultimately influencing TB dynamics across the continent long before European colonization.
The advent of European contact precipitated a dramatic epidemiological shift, as TB strains originating from Eurasia rapidly supplanted the endemic lineages circulating in the Americas. This strain replacement not only altered the genetic make-up of the pathogen populations but also reshaped the broader patterns of disease spread and manifestation across North and South America. Stone’s analysis elucidates these complex historical interactions, emphasizing how colonialism and migration have had profound effects on infectious disease evolution.
Beyond tracing pathogen lineages, Stone’s work also investigates the biological and cultural responses of human populations to infectious challenges over extended periods. She explores how genetic adaptations in human immune systems may have conferred varying degrees of resistance or susceptibility to TB, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between host and pathogen. Additionally, her research examines cultural practices that influenced disease transmission, such as settlement patterns, diet, and social structures, thereby integrating anthropology with molecular biology to create a holistic view of infectious disease history.
This integrative framework underscores the value of ancient genomes—not merely as historical curiosities but as powerful tools for understanding contemporary and future public health challenges. Stone asserts that examining pathogen evolution across deep timescales allows researchers to identify persistent ecological and social conditions that facilitate widespread transmission. Recognizing these patterns offers opportunities to anticipate how emerging diseases might behave and what public health strategies could be most effective in mitigating outbreaks.
Stone’s expertise in ancient DNA and infectious disease evolution extends beyond tuberculosis. Her broader research agenda explores the evolutionary history of various pathogens, highlighting the intricate relationships between pathogens, their animal reservoirs, and human hosts. By disentangling these connections, Stone contributes to a growing body of knowledge essential for predicting zoonotic spillovers—events where pathogens jump from animals to humans—a phenomenon that continues to pose substantial risks in our increasingly interconnected world.
Her role as director of Arizona State University’s Center for Evolution and Medicine places her at the forefront of interdisciplinary research that bridges evolutionary biology, medicine, and anthropological sciences. The Center fosters collaboration among scientists to leverage evolutionary theory and genomic technologies in addressing pressing medical and public health issues. Stone’s leadership here reflects a commitment to advancing research that not only elucidates past disease dynamics but also informs medical practice and policy in the modern era.
The AAAS Annual Meeting, a prestigious international forum for scientific exchange, offers an ideal platform for Stone to share her findings with a broad audience encompassing scientists, policymakers, and the general public. Her presentation promises to stimulate discussions on how lessons from history can be applied to contemporary challenges in infectious disease control, especially in the context of ongoing and emerging global pandemics.
Stone emphasizes that ancient DNA studies revolutionize our understanding of pathogens by providing a longitudinal perspective rarely achievable through modern clinical data alone. This temporal depth reveals evolutionary mechanisms underpinning pathogen adaptation, immune evasion, and transmission dynamics, which are critical for developing effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions. Her work exemplifies how technological advances in genomics intersect with evolutionary theory to transform public health strategies.
In summary, Anne Stone’s research epitomizes the transformative potential of integrating ancient DNA analysis with evolutionary and social sciences to deepen our comprehension of infectious diseases. By uncovering the deep-time narratives of pathogens such as tuberculosis, her work not only enriches scientific knowledge but also equips society with invaluable insights to confront current and future infectious disease threats. The ongoing dialogue between past and present in Stone’s research serves as a powerful reminder that understanding our evolutionary past is vital for safeguarding human health in an ever-changing world.
Subject of Research: Evolutionary history of infectious diseases, with a focus on tuberculosis and zoonotic spillovers studied through ancient DNA analysis.
Article Title: (Re)Emerging Pathogens: Ancient Spillovers Teach Us About Modern Plagues
Image Credits: Credit: ASU
Keywords: Health and medicine, Epidemiology, Diseases and disorders, Evolutionary biology
