Methods using urine and other DNA signatures

Abstract

The ends of cell-free DNA fragments can be used to analyze biological samples. In some embodiments, DNA from urine samples can be analyzed. Cell-free DNA fragments often contain ragged ends, where one end of one strand of double-stranded DNA extends beyond the other end of the other strand. The length and amount of these ragged ends can be used to determine the level of an individual's condition. The density of fragment ends in a specific region can also be used to classify the level of the condition. Furthermore, DNA fragments can exhibit periodic patterns, with the amount of DNA fragments corresponding to the length of the overhang. The periodicity can be analyzed to determine the characteristics of the biological sample. Ragged ends can also be analyzed using techniques that avoid trimming the overhanging 3' ends of double-stranded DNA.

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