We are pleased to announce that our Discovery Project titled “Unravelling the secrets of tooth enamel: implications for human evolution”, in collaboration with Associate Professor Jing Fu (Monash University, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), Professor Stefano Benazzi (University of Bologna), Professor Ottmar Kullmer (Senckenberg Research Institute), and Dr Carol Mosca (CSIRO Food Innovation Centre) will be funded by the Australian Research Council for a total of $665,767.
This project aims to investigate the intricate relationship between morphology, wear and internal tissues of primate teeth by utilising advanced 3D computer methods, engineering and food science tools. This project expects to generate novel insights about the form and function of dental enamel and its significance in mammalian evolution. Expected outcomes include refining theories and models on primate dental adaptations, enhancing capacity to build interdisciplinary collaborations, and the development of novel methods to examine chewing efficiency. This should provide significant benefits to Australian research in evolutionary anthropology, dental biomechanics and in food industry.
