DNA Barcodes Track Blood Age

Nature has published a study led by Dr. Alejo Rodríguez-Fraticelli and Dr. Lars Velten (CRG) showing that natural DNA methylation patterns can be used as “barcodes”. These have enabled researchers to trace the history and ageing of blood stem cells. These epigenetic marks are copied as cells divide, allowing reconstruction of cellular lineages in humans, uncovering how the blood system changes over time.

The work has demonstrated that, from around age 50, a small number of stem cell clones progressively dominate blood production, reducing diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for age-related changes, such as chronic inflammation, and open new avenues for early detection of ageing-related diseases and the development of therapies to delay or reverse blood ageing.

More information: ‘Barcodes’ written into our DNA reveal how blood ages