Analysis of bomb-pulse carbon-14 for estimation of cell and tissue turnover

📍 Tartu Ravila 19 Biomeedikum 1024

The following event is held in English. Doctoral researchers from the faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Veterinary Medicine are welcome to attend.

Atmosfääris tuumakatsetuste tagajärjel tekkinud Carbon-14 produced in the atmosphere as a result of nuclear weapons testing can be used to determine the age of human cells and tissues based on changes in its levels. This makes it possible to assess when cells were formed and whether, and how quickly, different tissues are renewed throughout a person’s lifetime.

The proportion of carbon-14 (¹⁴C) in our food corresponds to the level of ¹⁴C present in the atmosphere at that particular time. Since the carbon atoms in the DNA within a cell’s nucleus are replaced only when cells divide, it is possible to estimate the rate at which cell populations in different tissues—including several regions of the brain—are renewed, both in health and in disease.

In biomedical research, this method helps to clarify the regenerative capacity of human tissues and the rate of cellular renewal in both healthy and diseased states.

In forensic medicine, the method can be used, for example, to estimate the year of birth and time of death of an unidentified body by analysing the carbon-14 content of teeth and different tissues.

In case of questions, please turn to Marika Väli,marika.vali@ut.ee.

Estonian Doctoral School for Medical and Health Sciences, Veterinary Medicine.