Leonardo da Vinci's DNA search shows possible Tuscan lineage

Researchers report they recovered male DNA with a Tuscan lineage from a red chalk drawing and other artifacts and posted a preliminary paper on bioRxiv; experts say the findings are tentative and not yet peer reviewed.

Scientists report that they detected trace male DNA on a red chalk drawing called "Holy Child" and on other artifacts linked to Leonardo da Vinci. The research team posted a preliminary paper to the preprint server bioRxiv, and the work has not yet undergone peer review. Identifying Leonardo's genome is difficult because his remains and direct descendants are not readily available for straightforward comparison. Researchers say their methods could provide a baseline for future sampling and comparisons. Key findings and context: - The Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project reported male DNA with a Tuscan lineage on the "Holy Child" drawing and on other sampled objects. - The study is published as a preliminary preprint on bioRxiv and has not been peer reviewed. - The team compared Y-chromosome material to DNA from a 15th-century letter and assigned the sequences to haplogroup E1b1b, which has ties to Tuscany. - Experts caution the DNA could come from other people who touched the works over centuries, and the authorship of "Holy Child" is debated. - Limitations include small sample sizes, low quantities of recovered DNA, and the researchers did not authenticate the age of the recovered genetic material. Summary: The paper presents evidence that trace male DNA with a Tuscan lineage appears on several items attributed to Leonardo, but experts and the authors stress that this is not definitive proof of his genome. The researchers are pursuing additional comparison samples from manuscripts, family-related remains, and other artifacts, and the findings await peer review. Undetermined at this time.