A group of researchers have discovered a profound connection between chronological age in mammals and the accumulation of epigenetic changes during an individual's lifetime. The study about epigenetic clocks paved the way for experts to understand deeply how they act as aging biomarkers.
Epigenetic Clocks in Plants
Scientists have witnessed the development of epigenetic clocks which serve as potential aging biomarkers. These clocks, unwaveringly accurate from birth to the final chapter of life, intriguingly reset in each new generation.
The scientific revelation emerges from an international collaboration led by the University of Georgia, the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, and the Technical University of Munich. This innovative research journey unveils the existence of epigenetic clocks in the plant kingdom, offering an extraordinary continuity across generations.
Published in the journal Science on Sept. 29, the study titled "An evolutionary epigenetic clock in plants" showcases the remarkable precision with which these epigenetic clocks measure time. Ranging from decades to centuries, this unrivaled accuracy surpasses traditional DNA mutation-based clocks.
Unraveling Microevolutionary Findings
The profound implications of this research transcend the boundaries of botanical science. It offers fresh insights into longstanding microevolutionary questions. These questions encompass the timing of invasive species introductions and the ramifications of human activities since the advent of modern industrialization.
Related Article : NASA's New DIY Gadget STELLA Can Measure Plant's Health
Evidential Clues from a 300-Year-Old Poplar Tree
The revelation of plant epigenetic clocks commenced with a 300-year-old poplar tree, a living testament to history. According to Phys.org, this ancient tree's DNA methylation, a pivotal player in various epigenetic processes, underwent meticulous scrutiny across its numerous branches.
"We combined DNA methylation data with branch diameter and coring data to count tree rings, which reflect branch age. We were unable to core one branch, but we accurately estimated its age using only DNA methylation data, which provided the first clues that there exists an epigenetic clock in plants." Frank Johannes, professor of plant epigenomics at the Technical University of Munich said.
Indeed, the combination of DNA methylation data, branch diameter, and coring data provided invaluable insights. Even a branch inaccessible to traditional coring methods had its age accurately estimated through DNA methylation data, thus highlighting the existence of an epigenetic clock in plants.
Phylogenetic Harmony
Subsequent experiments unlocked the mysteries surrounding epigenetic clocks in plants. The self-fertilizing plant A. thaliana and the clonal seagrass Z. marina, representing distinctive plant reproduction modes, were instrumental in this journey.
The epigenetic clocks precisely recapitulated known divergence times of intra-species phylogenetic or evolutionary trees within these plant species.
The research journey delved deeper into plant evolution. A multitude of experimental evolution populations of A. thaliana were meticulously cultivated, tracing back their pedigrees.
As the study unfolded, a subset of 'clock-like' epimutations emerged, facilitating the precise estimation of pedigree timelines.
Novel Molecular Clock for Solving Age-Old Mysteries
This plant epigenetic clock, the cornerstone of this remarkable journey, proved its mettle by offering more accurate dating for a recently diverged North American population of A. thaliana, a community approximately 140 years old. The epigenetic clock outperformed the traditional molecular clock employing DNA mutations of the same individuals.
In the words of Thorsten Reusch, head of marine evolutionary ecology at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, this novel molecular clock promises to unlock the mysteries of age, particularly in the world of ferns, reeds, and seagrasses.
