Inferring genetic origins and phenotypic traits of George B\xe4hr, the architect of the Dresden Frauenkirche

Alexander Peltzer,Kay Nieselt,Tristan Begg,Johannes Krause,Chuan-Chao Wang,Cosimo Posth,Alissa Mittnik

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20180-z

Abstract

For historic individuals, the outward appearance and other phenotypic characteristics remain often non-resolved. Unfortunately, images or detailed written sources are only scarcely available in many cases. Attempts to study historic individuals with genetic data so far focused on hypervariable regions of mitochondrial DNA and to some extent on complete mitochondrial genomes. To elucidate the potential of in-solution based genome-wide SNP capture methods - as now widely applied in population genetics - we extracted DNA from the 17th century remains of George Bähr, the architect of the Dresdner Frauenkirche. We were able to identify the remains to be of male origin, showing sufficient DNA damage, deriving from a single person and being thus likely authentic. Furthermore, we were able to show that George Bähr had light skin pigmentation and most likely brown eyes. His genomic DNA furthermore points to a Central European origin. We see this analysis as an example to demonstrate the prospects that new in-solution SNP capture methods can provide for historic cases of forensic interest, using methods well established in ancient DNA (aDNA) research and population genetics.

Highlights

Targeted SNPs includes information about various other diagnostic markers as well[13]
In the case of the historical figure focused on in this study, George Bähr, the main goal was to investigate how much information can be retrieved by modern in-solution SNP capture methods for such studies and whether the approach is generally suitable for characterizing historic individuals
Investigating historic individuals based on genetic data still remains challenging and can only shed light on certain aspects of an individual, such as eye and hair color and a set of well established disease markers

Summary

Introduction

Targeted SNPs includes information about various other diagnostic markers as well[13] This enables a more detailed phenotypic and disease specific analysis of historic individuals on a much broader level than before. Bähr was unable to see this most prominent piece of work in its full glory, as he died following a pulmonary edema at the age of 72 in 1738, five years before the church was finished[14] His skeletal remains were initially buried in the Johannis cemetery. In order to obtain biological information such as physical appearance and potential risk alleles for genetically inherited diseases from this historic person of interest, we were provided by the George Bähr foundation with bone samples from his skeletal remains. We found about a dozen risk alleles for medical conditions, including some that might have contributed to his death

Methods

Results

Conclusion