Posted 4/12/2024, 1:45:28 PM
New Model Predicts DNA Methylation from Cell-Free DNA, Has Applications in Cancer Detection
- A Northwestern study developed a machine learning model to predict DNA methylation from cell-free DNA fragmentation patterns.
- DNA methylation acts as an "off switch" for genes and is dysfunctional in diseases like cancer.
- Cell-free DNA represents cell death signatures, breaks apart in patterns linked to epigenetics.
- The model accurately predicted DNA methylation status in human blood samples from healthy and cancer patients.
- The model pinpointed the tissue origins of abnormal methylation signatures that occur in cancers.