A new genetic study project is starring Leonardo da Vinci. The DNA of the Renaissance genius be sequenced to rebuild their physical characteristics and determine whether it had more visual, what their eating habits and how the author of the enigmatic painting of the Mona Lisa was sick.
Da Vinci who in his time dissected bodies and made sketches to understand how it was made and how it worked human anatomy, is now the subject of scientific research in the Craig Venter Institute in California involved, which was the first to sequence the genome human-as well as the Laboratory of Genetic Identification of the University of Granada, and the Institute of Human Paleontology in Paris, among others.
the project wants to get samples from the remains of Da Vinci, buried in the French town of Amboise, southwest of Paris, as well as modern descendants of the artist, in addition to the biological material that may remain in paintings or the pages of the notebooks of the artist, in order to sequence their DNA.
DNA Sequence. tHE HERALD consulted Juan Jose Yunis, medical and professor at the Institute of Genetics at the National University of Colombia, to know how this type of procedure is performed. Yunis said that the process to determine the genetic makeup of a person can be made from a very small amount of DNA.
“If you are the skeletal remains of Leonardo da Vinci, there can be obtained data for genetic sequence it. This could respond if the remains attributed to him are really the artist or not, “says geneticist.
Yunis clarifies that the techniques used for such studies are known as ‘Sequence of new generation’ which involves taking a very small amount of genetic sample to fragment. Small segments are then cloned into millions of bacteria, which store and replicate human DNA so that it can be prepared in quantities large enough to sequence it.
“Then be joining that information until the genome of an individual. The process involves various reagents, “Yunis said, adding that the study conducted surely get the predominant physical characteristics in the Italian population.
” It is possible to find it was Caucasoid. Surely his eyes could be clear, because that is the predominant genetic information in the Italian population, “he says.
History and genetics. Jesse Ausubel, Vice President Richard Lounsbery Foundation, which is funding part of the project, explained that they plan to be completed in 2019, the year in which the fifth centenary of the death of Italian genius is met. He said that in the process techniques that could help determine the authenticity of the artworks will also be developed.
“Over the next three years we will use new techniques in molecular and genetic biology, we will combine with knowledge of anthropology and history to make new discoveries about Leonardo da Vinci, “he said.
Ausubel also recognized that, for now, the French authorities have refused to allow scientists access to the remains of Leonardo da Vinci to obtain samples and try to extract DNA. However, the scientist added that now that the project is public, and given the caliber of the institutions and individuals involved, provides that Paris will change its initial refusal.
On the other hand, Professor Rhonda Roby -from Craig Venter Institute, which is part of the investigation said the DNA of the artist and the team’s research could also allow the reconstruction of the face of Da Vinci, born in 1452 and died on may 2, 1519, at age 67 . It may clarify the origin of his mother or his diet, health and personal habits.
Da Vinci and anatomy. The artist, icon of Renaissance, contributed with his comments, reflected in drawings, the first descriptions of arteriosclerosis and cirrhosis recorded in the history of medicine. He also perfected his technique for anatomical cuts, and his artistic skills were useful in representing the human figure in different planes.
His drawings of skulls and other bone segments have recently been compared with modern techniques as MRIs, highlighting the close observation that experimental science applied to their representations.
Although he was not credited with an important discovery Da Vinci in this field, figure in the history of development of anatomy. The current project establishes a parallel between knowledge and technology that had Da Vinci, in contrast to the current developments around the genetic code, which physiognomic features both studied the Italian genius are derived.
Descendants
historians Alessandro Vezzosi and Agnese Sabato announced last April in Florence (Italy), the family of the painter and mathematician Leonardo da Vinci was not extinguished , as previously thought. This was concluded after an investigation that began in 1973 and led to the discovery that 35 descendants of the family of the painter of ‘La Gioconda’. One of them, according to Italian media, the filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli would, director of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (1968) or ‘La Traviata’ (1983). Efe
* With information from Efe
No comments:
Post a Comment