Genomic analyses of hair from Ludwig van Beethoven

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.041
• Publication Date: 2023-03-22T15:05:12Z
• Authors: Tristan James Ale...; Axel Schmidt; Arthur Kocher; Maarten H.D. Larm...; Göran Runfeldt; Paul Andrew Maier; John D. Wilson; Rodrigo Barquera; Carlo Maj; András Szolek; Michael Sager; Stephen Clayton; Alexander Peltzer; Ruoyun Hui; Julia Ronge; Ella Reiter; Cäcilia Freund; Marta Burri; Franziska Aron; Anthi Tiliakou; Joanna Osborn; Doron M. Behar; Malte Boecker; Guido Brandt; Isabelle Cleynen; Christian Strassburg; Kay Prüfer; Denise Kühnert; William Rhea Mere...; Markus M. Nöthen; Robert David Atte...; Toomas Kivisild; Johannes Krause
• Keywords: Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics; Male; 106014 Genomics; 504011 Genealogy; Famous Persons; HEPATITIS-B-VIRUS; the Beethoven genome project; genobiography; HAPLOTYPE FREQUENCIES; Deafness; DISEASE; Music and Dance; genetic genealogy; WIDE ASSOCIATION; 305102 DNA-Analyse (Gerichtsmedizin); RISK; Genomics; 3. Good health; Chemistry; SDG 3 – Gesundheit und Wohlergehen; DNA analysis; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; DEAFNESS; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; medical genetics; Ludwig van Beethoven; SEQUENCE; 305102 DNA analysis (Forensic medicine); extra-pair paternity; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; 106014 Genomik; ANCIENT DNA; Humans; Beethoven; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; NUCLEAR-DNA; Biology; ancient DNA; 780; Science & Technology; 504011 Familienforschung; hair; Cell Biology; geo-genetic triangulation; FRAMEWORK; Genetic Genealogy; Human medicine; hepatitis B virus; Music; Hair

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) remains among the most influential and popular classical music composers. Health problems significantly impacted his career as a composer pianist, including progressive hearing loss, recurring gastrointestinal complaints, liver disease. In 1802, requested that following death, disease be described made public. Medical biographers have since proposed numerous hypotheses, many substantially heritable conditions. Here we attempt genomic analysis of in order to elucidate potential underlying genetic infectious causes illnesses. We incorporated improvements ancient DNA methods into existing protocols for hair samples, enabling sequencing high-coverage genomes from small quantities historical hair. analyzed eight independently sourced locks attributed Beethoven, five which originated single European male. deemed these matching samples almost certainly authentic sequenced Beethoven's genome 24-fold coverage. Although could not identify explanation disorder or problems, found had predisposition Metagenomic analyses revealed furthermore hepatitis B infection during at least months prior death. Together with broadly accepted alcohol consumption, present plausible explanations severe disease, culminated Unexpectedly, an Y chromosomes living members Van patrilineage occurrence extra-pair paternity event patrilineal ancestry.