Preliminary results of the study show that samples taken from the sheet may have a genetic connection to the artist's descendants. However, this data requires further analysis and verification.
A group of scientists from various countries, led by American researcher Harinder Singh from the J. Craig Venter Institute, conducted a study of the drawing "Holy Infant," which is in a private collection. Microscopic samples were collected from both sides of the sheet. The analysis revealed not only human DNA but also genetic material from bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals.
However, there is a problem: the exact authorship of the drawing has not been established, and art historians only speculate that it belongs to da Vinci. Additionally, the DNA found on the object is heavily damaged and may belong to different individuals who interacted with the drawing over the centuries.
The research team consists of more than 30 specialists, including geneticists, anthropologists, archaeologists, and art historians. Among the team's plans is the analysis of DNA from fifteen modern men who are direct descendants of da Vinci through the paternal line.
