Protocol development using experimental mummification.

Molecular techniques for the analysis of mummies can require extensive optimisation, which may lead to significant quantities of tissue being wasted before the protocol is perfected. Any method of reducing this is obviously desirable. We have developed a mouse model to provide tissue for the optimisation of techniques and reagents, such as antibodies, that can be used in the initial development stages for new techniques. Such models can also provide insights into the degradation patterns of specific proteins through their immunohistochemical staining patterns. This in turn indicates how likely they are to survive the mummification procedure itself, and as such whether they may be preserved in ancient tissue. Although there are limitations to the model, for example it cannot reproduce the extent of degradation seen in ancient remains, it is hoped that such models will provide a valuable tool for the study of mummified tissue.