News Genetics

DNA from Beethoven’s hair hints at what killed the composer

He had a heightened genetic risk for liver disease and, possibly, a hepatitis B infection

image of a circular lock of Beethoven's hair attached to an old piece of paper with something written in cursive script

Scientists used five locks of hair collected during Beethoven’s lifetime to reconstruct the composer’s genome. The Moscheles lock (seen here) was taken from Beethoven around the time he died in 1827.

Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies/San Jose State Univ.

By Freda Kreier

DNA from strands of Beethoven’s hair is helping to uncover what may have caused his death, researchers say.