Accurate age estimation with DNA methylation
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem say they have developed a remarkably precise method to estimate a person’s age based on just a small DNA sample — with potential applications in medicine, aging research and forensic investigations.
Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence, the scientists created a tool called MAgeNet that can determine a person’s chronological age (the number of years since birth) with a margin of error as small as 1.36 years for individuals under 50 — and all it takes is a simple blood draw.
“It turns out that the passage of time leaves measurable marks on our DNA,” said Professor Tommy Kaplan, co-supervisor on the project. “Our model decodes those marks with astonishing precision.”
The secret lies in how our DNA changes over time through a process called methylation — the chemical ‘tagging’ of DNA by methyl group (CH3). By zooming in on just two key regions of the human genome, the team was able to read these changes at the level of individual molecules, then use deep learning to translate them into accurate age predictions.
The team’s study, published in the journal Cell Reports, analysed blood samples from over 300 healthy people, as well as data from a decade-long longitudinal analysis of the Jerusalem Perinatal Study (JPS). Their results show that the model worked consistently across a range of variables — like smoking, body weight, sex, and even different signs of biological aging.
“This gives us a new window into how aging works at the cellular level,” said co-supervisor Professor Yuval Dor. “It’s a powerful example of what happens when biology meets AI.”
The research also uncovered new patterns in how DNA changes over time, suggesting our cells encode age both randomly and in coordinated bursts — like ticking biological clocks.
“It’s not just about knowing your age,” said co-supervisor Professor Ruth Shemer. “It’s about understanding how your cells keeps track of time, molecule by molecule.”
The research could reshape how we approach health, aging and identity in the future. From helping doctors tailor treatments based on a person’s true biological timeline, to helping forensic investigators estimate the age of a suspect, the work deepens our understanding of how aging works —bringing us one step closer to decoding the body’s internal clock.
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