Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Frank J. Rühli

Area of Research

Description of Research Interest

„Learning from the past for the present and the future.“

-What are evolutionary origins of diseases, ultimate etiological causes?
-How do evolutionary vulnerabilities of human anatomy/physiology contribute to disease susceptibility and progression?
-How effectively do ancient samples, such as skeletal and mummified remains, act as a major source for the study of the evolution of disease?

We analyse ancient biological material and associated data to better understand modern human health issues and diseases; we are able to work on various interdisciplinary research questions in the context of the field of Evolutionary Medicine.

Our core competencies include:
-In the area of morphology: Clinical Anatomy; Variability and adaptation of body morphology as a function of time (Microevolution), sex, robustness, socio-economic factors etc.; Macroevolution of joint morphology and -pathologies.
-In the area of imaging: application of modern imaging techniques (MRI, terahertz) on historical tissues; Radiological diagnosis of pathologies.
-In the area of ancient DNA: Co-evolution of diseases and the human genome (evolution of human pathogens, microbiome analyses etc.); Service for Archaeology/Historical Anthropology (paternity testing, sex

Maintain a medical history object collection for the scientific community
Ethical considerations for the research on historical human tissues.

Special Expertise

Human Morphology
Mummy Studies

Shareable Platforms, Services, Equipment & Infrastructure

Ancient DNA
Anthropometry Lab (e.g. Full body scanner)
Mobile X-ray unit, 3d scanner
Medico-historical collection
Historic human bone and soft tissue samples

Member of Collaborative/interdisciplinary Research Consortia

URPP Evolution in Action
EXCITE Zurich