Phoenix Lecture: Nobel Laureate Svante Pääbo at NCKU on Ancient DNA and Human Origins-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) hosted the 2026 “Phoenix Lecture” on the afternoon of March 20 at the International Conference Hall, B1, Main Library. The university invited 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Prof. Dr. Svante Pääbo, a pioneer in ancient DNA research, to deliver a lecture titled “About the Origins of Modern Humans: Neandertals, Denisovans, and the Genetic Legacy of Humanity.” In his talk, he presented groundbreaking achievements from his team’s work in ancient DNA research and engaged in an academic dialogue session. The event drew enthusiastic participation from faculty and students both on and off campus, filling the venue to capacity.

Vice President Shih-Wei Chang delivered opening remarks on behalf of NCKU, welcoming Prof. Pääbo as a distinguished speaker of the university’s highest academic honor, the Phoenix Lecture. He noted that Prof. Pääbo’s pioneering contributions to evolutionary genetics have profoundly reshaped our understanding of human history and origins. He also expressed special thanks to Prof. Takashi Gojobori, Yushan Scholar from the Department of Life Sciences, for facilitating this valuable academic exchange, which enabled participants to engage closely with world-class research insights.

Prof. Pääbo is currently affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University. He pioneered techniques for extracting DNA from fossils, allowing scientists to directly read genetic information preserved for tens of thousands of years. His research team successfully sequenced the Neanderthals and identified another extinct human group, the Denisovans, revealing gene flow between these ancient populations and modern humans. These discoveries have transformed our understanding of human evolution and established the field of paleogenomics.

During the lecture, Prof. Pääbo reviewed the step-by-step development of sequencing the Neanderthals and the discovery of Denisovans. He emphasized that studying extinct human species is crucial not only for reconstructing human origins and population interactions but also for understanding how ancient genetic variants persist in modern human genomes and influence biological functions. He further explained that gene flow between modern humans and these archaic populations has left lasting genetic legacies that affect physiological traits and disease responses today. For example, individuals carrying a specific Neandertal-derived haplotype on chromosome 3 (about 13% of the population) have nearly twice the mortality risk from COVID-19 compared to non-carriers (about 7%). Conversely, another locus on chromosome 3 associated with HIV infection suggests that Neandertal-derived variants may confer reduced susceptibility, highlighting the complex influence of ancient DNA on modern human health.

The lecture was followed by an academic panel discussion moderated by Prof. Hao-Wen Wang from NCKU’s Department of Life Sciences. Panelists included Assistant Professor Diyendo Massilani from Yale University and Dr. Junji Hirota from Tokyo University of Science. The discussion explored the development of ancient DNA research, the evolution of research questions and methodologies across generations, the importance of international collaboration and team science, and advice for early-career researchers. Dr. Massilani also noted that in the next 10–20 years, a key direction in the field will be the analysis of ancient environmental DNA to better understand the living environments of Neandertals and Denisovans, including their diets and past climate conditions.

Recently, Prof. Pääbo joined a research project at the National Museum of Natural Science titled “Re-evaluating Taiwan’s Fossil Records: Exploring Hidden Prehistoric Biodiversity,” conducting specimen sampling and academic exchange in Taiwan. This visit and lecture were made possible through the joint efforts of Museum Director Wen-Shan Huang and Prof. Takashi Gojobori. The event not only fostered international academic collaboration but also provided the local academic community with a rare opportunity to engage directly with a world-leading scientist, further deepening understanding of human evolution and genomics research.