Bioinformatic Profiling of Written Artefacts
2020–2025
RFF02
In bioinformatics, mathematical and statistical approaches are applied to biological data to classify and characterise the samples that are investigated. This application enables insights into the composition of the samples that would not be accessible otherwise and is particularly suitable when analytical methods are utilised that generate complex data. In the framework of this project, data from spectroscopic and state-of-the-art sequencing techniques are analysed with bioinformatic approaches to contribute to the characterisation of the biological identity and the historical background of artefacts, especially palm-leaf manuscripts. In this context, we characterise and classify written artefacts based on different properties, e.g. production material, preservation states, and geographical origin.
The aim of the project is the comprehensive analysis of written artefacts by establishing various bioinformatic approaches. To achieve this, it is crucial to bundle our expertise with knowledge about paleogenetics (RFA04) and analytical techniques (Mobile Lab), as well as to combine bioinformatic and historical findings, e.g. about South Indian palm-leaf manuscripts (RFA07). Anchored in the ‘Data Linking’ research field and cooperating with researchers from the natural sciences and the humanities, the project contributes to the fruitful transfer of knowledge and methods between disciplines and projects. In addition, this project is part of the Palm-Leaf Manuscript Profiling Initiative (RFA16) and the associated mission of the Container Lab.
People
Project lead: Stephan Seifert
Research Associate: Lucas F. Voges