DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes Core

The DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes core is focused on quantifying and discovering DNA adducts—chemical modifications to DNA that accumulate with age and reflect oxidative and metabolic stress—using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. Its first aim is to provide precise measurements of a suite of well-established, age-related DNA adducts from various biological sources, including human, mouse, and invertebrate DNA. These analyses utilize state-of-the-art techniques like isotope dilution HPLC-ESI-MS/MS with triple quadrupole and Orbitrap mass spectrometers. In addition, the core expands into discovery-driven research by applying adductomic screening methods to detect novel or previously uncharacterized DNA adducts that may serve as new biomarkers of aging. By integrating high-resolution mass spectrometry and data-dependent acquisition strategies, the core enables comprehensive profiling of DNA modifications relevant to aging.

In addition to established and novel DNA adduct detection, our core supports the development of new assays for quantifying emerging or user-requested age-related DNA adducts not covered in the initial panel. This capability allows for rapid methodological expansion tailored to specific research needs. Moreover, the core addresses epigenetic changes associated with aging, particularly DNA methylation patterns such as 5-methylcytosine (5mC), which play key roles in gene regulation and the development of biological aging clocks. These epigenetic alterations are highly relevant to neurodegeneration and age-related diseases, and the core supports their characterization through advanced genomic and methylation mapping. Overall, the DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes core provides a critical resource for identifying, quantifying, and characterizing molecular hallmarks of aging at the DNA level.

The DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes core provides routine measurement of epigenetic DNA marks 5-methyl-dC, 5-hydroxymethyl-dC, 5-formyl-dC, and N6-methyl-dA.  Additional services include measurement of 8-oxo-dG, ԐdC, ԐdG and ԐdA by isotope dilution HPLC-ESI-MS/MS on triple quadrupole mass spectrometers or high-resolution MS/MS Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometers.

Additionally, DNA adductomic methodology development will be available for the identification of unidentified or unknown DNA adducts in tissues, allowing for the comprehensive characterization of age-related covalent modifications of DNA. Furthermore, global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation will be measured by LC-MS/MS and using an Epic 850 DNA methylation array. 

Please email Chastity Healy [email protected] to initiate a conversation about core fees.  A new price list will be available September 2026.