Category: In the Media
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Surprising discovery in prehistoric DNA – traced to our kidneys
Latest research results from Mattias Jakobsson and his colleagues at the Human Evolution Program were featured on local TV (18 Apr 2026). By examining DNA from thousands of years-old bone fragments, researchers have found genetic changes that were present in prehistoric humans – and in us today. The researchers also made a surprising discovery: several…
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Ideas that change the world.
Human Evolution was the focus of the latest episode (Season 6, Ep. 112) in the Nobel Prize Museum’s podcast series, Ideas that change the world, with Mattias Jakobsson. We all carry the entire history of humanity in our genes. When researchers examine the DNA of people living today and compare it with the genetic material…
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Mattias Jakobsson elected a new member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Class for biosciences
Big congratulations, Mattias! The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien) was founded on 2 June 1739. It is an independent, non-governmental scientific organization that takes special responsibility for promoting natural sciences and mathematics and strengthening their influence in society whilst endeavouring to promote the exchange of ideas between various disciplines. Every year, the academy awards the Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry, the Sveriges Riksbank Prize…
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Genomic ancestry and social dynamics of the last hunter-gatherers of Atlantic France
A new article on exogamic practices of hunter-gatherers, by Simões et al. (2024) was published in PNAS, Anthropology. Significance Since the early Holocene, western and central Europe was inhabited by a genetically distinct group of hunter-gatherers. We generated different types of biomolecular data, including deep coverage complete genome sequencing, from human skeletal remains buried in…
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Uppsala University’s 2023 Linnaeus Medal awarded to Mattias Jakobsson
Uppsala University’s Linnaeus Medal was first awarded on 23 May 2007 in connection with the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carl Linnaeus. The gold medal is conferred “for, in particular, truly outstanding scientific achievement, especially in the Linnaean subject areas or fields related to the legacy of Linnaeus”. Mattias Jakobsson is being honoured for…
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Where do the Scandinavians come from?
Have you ever wondered where Scandinavians came from? Watch a new video from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation about our work on ancient Scandinavians. “A piece of the puzzle is DNA from a man who lived about 9000 years ago, whose remains were found at an excavation in Stora Bjers, Gotland. Wallenberg Academy Fellow Mattias Jakobsson,…