A groundbreaking new method has emerged, offering a glimpse into the past and a potential key to unlocking medical mysteries. The ability to revive DNA from historic medical tissues could revolutionize our understanding of diseases and their evolution over time.
Research institutions are treasure troves of genetic data, but the challenge lies in accessing this information from older samples due to DNA degradation. Modern technologies, while powerful, have primarily focused on recent genetic samples, leaving a gap in our knowledge of historical diseases and their transformations.
However, a team of researchers at the University of Chicago has adapted ancient DNA study techniques, originally used for archaeological specimens, to recover genetic insights from medical samples dating back nearly a century. This innovative approach will be showcased at the upcoming Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo in Boston.
To demonstrate their technique, the researchers utilized colorectal cancer tissue samples collected over a 91-year period, from 1932 to 2023. The choice of colorectal cancer was strategic, given its increasing prevalence among young adults without a clear cause. Today, a 35-year-old faces twice the risk compared to someone of the same age in 1985.
The researchers meticulously isolated tumor tissue from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens, optimizing the removal of paraffin wax and chemical preservatives to maximize DNA yield. They then employed tailored approaches to sequence the DNA, creating a custom pipeline using digital tools typically reserved for ancient DNA analysis. This allowed them to match samples with missing or damaged DNA to the human genome.
But here's where it gets controversial: the researchers not only sequenced the human DNA but also analyzed the non-human DNA present in the tissue samples. By doing so, they identified bacteria associated with colon cancer, in addition to normal gut microbes. Dr. Alexander Guzzetta, who led the project alongside Dr. Maanasa Raghavan, noted, "When we analyzed bacterial DNA from colon cancer tissues, we discovered a unique bacterial signature linked to colon cancer."
The team is now refining their analysis methods to delve deeper into these bacteria and understand their role and potential shifts over time. While their current focus is on colorectal cancer, Dr. Guzzetta hopes that other researchers will apply these techniques to study various diseases and their changes.
"There's immense potential for researchers to use these approaches to uncover the underlying causes of modern diseases and their evolution," Guzzetta said. "This method could provide a window into the past, revealing how diseases have transformed over decades and offering insights into their biological changes."
This groundbreaking work will be presented by Dr. Alexander Guzzetta, M.D., Ph.D., during a platform presentation at 2:45 p.m. Eastern time on November 13, 2025, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston. The work will also be available as a poster, with Dr. Guzzetta ready to discuss the details with reporters.
And this is the part most people miss: the potential impact of this research extends far beyond colorectal cancer. By studying historic DNA, we can gain a deeper understanding of disease evolution, potentially leading to more effective treatments and prevention strategies. So, what do you think? Could this approach revolutionize our approach to modern diseases? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
