Poinar hunts for ‘Secrets in the Bones’ on The Nature of Things

Poinar

McMaster researcher, ancient DNA expert and international adventurer Hendrik Poinar is described by CBC's The Nature of Things as 'Doctor Who meets Indiana Jones.'


McMaster evolutionary geneticist Hendrik Poinar was the subject of a recent episode of the popular CBC program The Nature of Things, which focused on his quest to unravel the Black Death.

“Secrets in the Bones: The Hunt for the Black Death Killer” follows Poinar across Europe and the United States as he attempts to pinpoint the DNA of the pathogen that caused one of history’s most devastating plagues.

Scientists unlock evolution of cholera

Researchers at McMaster and the University of Sydney have traced the bacterium behind a global cholera pandemic that killed millions. Read more about their work here.

“No one imagines that there’s actually something still hidden within a bone that’s been buried for a few  thousand years, or 100,000 years, let alone the possibility of resurrecting it or bringing it back to life,” says Poinar, who is one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of ancient DNA. “It’s like a time machine. It’s a kid’s dream.”

Watch the full episode along with a number of bonus clips. The latter includes an interview with McMaster mathematician David Earn, who discusses the likelihood of another epidemic similar to the Black Death.