Landmark Infectious Disease Study Published in Science

Research by Mississippi State professor and graduate student examines ancient DNA evidence on origins of syphilis-related disease.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A study by Mississippi State Professor of Anthropology Molly Zuckerman and her graduate student Lydia Bailey has been published in the prestigious journal Science. The research examines new evidence from ancient DNA that pushes the origins of diseases closely related to syphilis back more than 5,000 years and strongly supports an American rather than European origin for a close relative of the disease.

Why it matters

The findings are significant because they advance understanding of the origins and adaptability of a disease that is resurging in human populations, especially in the U.S. The research also highlights how examining infectious diseases 'in deep time' can inform modern approaches to public health and destigmatize these issues.

The details

Drawing on recent paleogenomic discoveries from Colombia and Mexico, Zuckerman and Bailey's article demonstrates how advances in ancient DNA research are transforming long-standing debates about human disease, evolution and global health. The research provides new evidence that pushes back the origins of syphilis-related diseases by over 5,000 years and supports an American rather than European origin for a close relative of syphilis.

  • The article was published in Science on February 21, 2026.

The players

Molly Zuckerman

A Professor of Anthropology at Mississippi State University who co-authored the study published in Science.

Lydia Bailey

A graduate student at Mississippi State University who co-authored the study published in Science.

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What they’re saying

“The research is important because it moves us further into understanding the origins and adaptability of a disease that is harmfully resurging in human populations, especially in the U.S., and thus its potential for future change.”

— Molly Zuckerman, Professor of Anthropology (Mirage News)

“Examining infectious diseases 'in deep time' can inform how we think about the roles of human mobility, environment and behavior in shaping infectious disease spread today.”

— Lydia Bailey, Graduate Student (Mirage News)

What’s next

The research team plans to continue exploring the ancient origins and evolution of syphilis and related diseases through further ancient DNA analysis and collaboration with global health experts.

The takeaway

This landmark study published in Science demonstrates how advances in ancient DNA research are transforming our understanding of the origins and spread of infectious diseases, with important implications for modern public health efforts to address resurging conditions like syphilis.