DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes Core
Core Overview
The DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes core provides services for measuring DNA adducts -chemical modifications to DNA that accumulate with age and reflect oxidative and metabolic stress, as well as epigenetic DNA marks associated with aging and highly relevant to neurodegeneration and age-related diseases - using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. The core provides precise quantitation of a suite of well-established, age-related DNA adducts from various biological sources, including human, mouse, and invertebrate DNA. We have the ability to rapidly quantify DNA methylation patterns, such as 5-methylcytosine (5mC), which play key roles in gene regulation. Additionally, we use bisulfate conversion coupled with next generation sequencing to determine biological ages through methylation clocks. The identification and quantification of new epigenetic biomarkers of aging, such as novel epigenetic DNA mark N6-methyladenine in both DNA and RNA, and DNA-protein crosslinks will also be performed.
DNA adduct and epigenetic mark analyses use state-of-the-art isotope-dilution HPLC-ESI-MS/MS with triple-quadrupole and Orbitrap mass spectrometers. In addition to our established panel of quantitative DNA adduct assays, our core supports the development of new assays for emerging or user-requested age-related DNA adducts. This capability allows for rapid methodological expansion tailored to specific research needs. The core also provides services for discovery-driven research by applying adductomic screening methods to detect novel or previously uncharacterized DNA adducts that may serve as new biomarkers of aging. This is accomplished using high-resolution mass spectrometry screening strategies to comprehensively profile the DNA modifications relevant to aging.
Overall, the DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes core provides a critical resource for identifying, quantifying, and characterizing molecular hallmarks of aging at the DNA level.
Core Services
The DNA Damage & Epigenetic Changes core provides routine measurements of epigenetic DNA marks 5-methyl-dC and 5-hydroxymethyl-dC, and DNA damage adducts 8-oxo-dG, cyclo-dG, cyclo-dA, etheno-dC, etheno-dG, etheno-dA, O6-methyl-dG, and hydroxynonenal-dG by isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS capillary-flow triple quadrupole and nanoflow high-resolution hybrid Orbitrap mass spectrometry, respectively. We have quantitative methods for N6-methyladenine in both DNA and RNA and DNA-protein crosslinks. Additionally, DNA adductomic analysis is available using high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry and Compound Discoverer data processing to identify unknown DNA adducts in tissues, enabling comprehensive characterization of age-related covalent modifications of DNA. Furthermore, global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation will be measured using the Illumina Epic 850 DNA methylation array.
Core Fees
Please email Chastity Healy at [email protected] to initiate a conversation about core fees. A price list will be available in September 25th, 2026.
