Humanism
From the Global Village to Tribes: How Screens and Algorithms Divide Us
07 February 2026
Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA: A 500-Year-Old Biological Trail
This could be the breakthrough of the century. Researchers from the Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine claim they report recovering trace DNA signals that may include a Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA. The key to this discovery? A meticulous analysis of his famous drawing, The Holy Child.
The Man Behind the Legend
Leonardo da Vinci needs no introduction. A visionary inventor, mathematician, and musician, he remains best known as the world’s most influential painter and sculptor. From the Mona Lisa to The Lady with an Ermine, his Renaissance masterpieces have defined art for generations.
Now, his sketches—specifically The Holy Child—have provided something even more intimate: a biological code dating back over 500 years.
How to Extract DNA from Paper
Leonardo died in 1519. While it may seem that every aspect of his life has been scrutinized, a revolutionary new technique is shedding light on his hidden history. Until recently, extracting viable genetic material from centuries-old paper was impossible.
American experts utilized a minimally invasive method to collect samples from sketches, drawings, and personal correspondence. This precision allowed them to isolate a previously unknown DNA sequence without damaging the priceless artifacts.
The Findings: What the Code Reveals
The study, titled Biological signatures of history: Examination of composite biomes and Y chromosome analysis from da Vinci-associated cultural artifacts, reports male Y-chromosome markers. The authors say the pattern is broadly consistent with Central and Southern Italy, including Tuscany—though it does not, on its own, prove identity.
Is it a definitive match? Not yet. While tests on other artifacts belonging to the Da Vinci family show striking similarities, scientists remain cautious. They now plan to test other works and collect DNA samples from Leonardo’s living descendants to confirm the link. If the results hold, it will mark a historic turning point.
Rewriting Art History
In the past, tiny marks on artwork were dismissed as mere contamination. Today, we know these samples hold the keys to the past. This genetic “fingerprinting” can reveal an artist’s travel history, their environment, and even the conditions in which a masterpiece was kept.
This technology could rewrite the history of art conservation and the exchange of Renaissance objects. Beyond human DNA, this method can extract sequences from:
- Plants and animals
- Bacteria and viruses
- Fungi and parasites
By analyzing wax seals and the absorbent fibers of old paper, we can learn more about creators than ever before. We are no longer just looking at the art; we are looking at the man who held the pen.
Read this article in Polish: Kod Da Vinci odnaleziony? To może być DNA geniusza
