Epigenetic Clock for Galliformes Age Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack specificity, accuracy, and precision in determining the epigenetic age of Galliformes, such as chickens, and fail to effectively assess inflammation status, which is crucial for animal farming due to the birds' short lifespan and susceptibility to enteric diseases.
Innovation Solution
An in vitro method that involves obtaining genomic DNA, determining methylation levels of specific CpG sites, and comparing them to age-correlated reference samples to establish epigenetic age and predict chronological age, while excluding confounding factors like genetic polymorphisms and sex-specific methylation differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If DNA methylation analysis is performed to establish epigenetic age in Galliformes, then age prediction capability is improved, but measurement precision is insufficient due to confounding factors like genetic polymorphisms and sex-specific methylation differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes confounding factors from the methylation analysis by excluding CpG sites associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms and sex chromosomes. This isolation of relevant methylation markers from interfering elements improves the reliability and precision of age prediction in Galliformes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific CpG sites with particular characteristics (those not associated with SNPs or sex chromosomes) for age prediction. This selective approach ensures that only high-quality, reliable methylation markers are used, enhancing measurement precision while maintaining reliability.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive methylation markers are used to improve age prediction accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to filter and exclude specific CpG sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and excluding CpG sites associated with genetic polymorphisms and sex chromosomes before performing age prediction. This upfront filtering creates a simplified, optimized set of methylation markers that maintains high accuracy while reducing the complexity of the overall method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the methylation analysis by selecting specific CpG sites based on their association with age rather than genetic variation or sex. This parameter selection optimizes the balance between measurement precision and method complexity by focusing only on relevant markers.
3Productivity
If the epigenetic clock method is applied to Galliformes with short lifespan, then productivity of research is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limited age range for calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by adapting the human epigenetic clock methodology to Galliformes, transferring the core concept of using DNA methylation for age prediction. This adaptation allows rapid application of an established method to a new species, improving research productivity while maintaining accuracy through species-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the epigenetic clock by identifying species-specific CpG sites in Galliformes that correlate with age. This parameter optimization ensures accurate age prediction within the species' limited lifespan range, maintaining measurement precision while enabling rapid research productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a robust and accurate epigenetic clock for Galliformes, enabling precise prediction of chronological age and early detection of inflammatory processes, thereby improving animal welfare and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
DNA methylation correlates with ageing processes and represents an epigenetic modification with a high specificity for CpG dinucleotides (5′-C-phosphate-G-3)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to an in vitro method for predicting the chronological age of healthy Galliformes, the method comprising the steps of: (a.) obtaining genomic DNA from biological sample material deriving from the Galliformes subject or from the Galliformes population to be tested, (b.) determining the methylation level of a set of specific CpG sites in the genomic Galliformes DNA obtained in step (a.), and (c.) comparing the methylation levels of these CpG sites in the genomic Galliformes DNA from the sample to be tested with the methylation level of the same CpG sites from an age-correlated reference sample, thereby establishing the epigenetic age and predicting the chronological age of the subject or of the population to be tested; wherein for the set of specific CpG sites in step (b) the impact of genetic polymorphisms is eliminated by excluding CpG sites associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms, and the impact of sex-specific methylation differences on sex chromosomes is eliminated by excluding all CpG sites located on sex chromosomes.