Method for estimating chronological age based on DNA methylation levels, even applicable to degraded DNA samples, and useful for reconstructing the biological profile of human remains of unknown identity found in forensic or archaeological contexts.
| Patent title | Method for estimating chronological age based on DNA methylation levels in human dental tissue |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Health |
| Ownership | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Inventors | Paolo Garagnani, Elisabetta Cilli, Chiara Pirazzini, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Sara De Fanti, Cristina Giuliani, Donata Luiselli, Vincenzo Iannuzzi, Giorgia Bolognesi |
| Protection | Italy, with the possibility to extend internationally |
| Licensing status | Available for development, option, licensing and other enhancement agreements |
| Keywords | Age determination, dating, DNA, qPCR, teeth, forensic medicine, archaeology |
| Filed on | 31 October 2024 |
In anthropology, the reconstruction of an individual's biological profile (sex, age, height, etc.) is one of the fundamental topics.
Currently, DNA methylation is one of the most promising molecular mechanisms for determining the chronological age of an unknown individual.
However, it is necessary to identify methods suitable for potentially degraded DNA samples, such as those found in forensic or archaeological contexts, and which use common laboratory equipment and do not employ aggressive substances that could damage the sample.
The method allows for the determination of DNA methylation in dental cementum and the estimation of an individual's chronological age based on it. Dental cementum is one of the most resistant human tissues to environmental agents and post-mortem degenerative processes.
The technique is based on Methylation-Sensitive Restriction Enzymes (MSRE), and quantitative PCR (qPCR), a widely available method in biology laboratories.
The error associated with the age estimation is 4.65 years, regardless of the individual's age, making the method applicable to individuals across all age groups.
Applications
- Forensic Medicine (reconstruction of the biological profile of unknown individuals, including remains with degraded tissues)
- Archaeology (dating of artifacts)
Advantages
- Methodology suitable for DNA samples with low integrity
- Requires very common equipment (qPCR), available in most molecular laboratories
- Reduced costs and time for analysis (initial screening of large cohorts, e.g., mass burials or disasters)