Over 500 years have passed given that Vlads reign, some artifacts have remained, including numerous letters he penned at various points throughout his life. The molecules and proteins present on files and other antiques like these can offer researchers with an unique understanding of the life and times of people from the past. Vincenzo Cunsolo and colleagues wanted to, for the very first time, investigate these letters to find out more about the health of the infamous Vlad Drăculea, as well as the environment he lived in.
This letter written by Vlad the Impaler in 1475 contains proteins that recommend he suffered from respiratory issues and bloodied tears. Credit: Adapted from Analytical Chemistry, 2023, DOI: 10.1021/ acs.analchem.3 c01461.
To discover the letters tricks, the scientists utilized a specialized plastic film called EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, to extract any proteins or small particles from the paper without damaging it. These extracts were then analyzed with mass spectrometry, allowing researchers to identify countless various peptides. Of these, the team focused on those with the most sophisticated deamidation, a type of protein degradation that takes place with age.
The most degraded proteins were likely the oldest, and therefore, they are the most likely to be from Vlad compared to more recent, less-degraded proteins that might have stemmed from other people handling the letters more just recently. An overall of 16 proteins were of human origin, connecting to skin, breathing and blood.
The scientists say that the data they acquired, although not exhaustive, suggest that Vlad could have struggled with breathing problems, and potentially even a condition called hemolacria, which would have triggered him to weep tears of blood– rather fitting for such a spooky character.
Other proteins determined by the group indicate that he might have been exposed to certain, plague-related bacteria or even annoying fruit flies. In all, the scientists say that this work helps shed light on some important documents of the past, along with individuals who may have written them.
Reference: “Count Dracula Resurrected: Proteomic Analysis of Vlad III the Impalers Documents by EVA Technology and Mass Spectrometry” by Maria Gaetana Giovanna Pittalà, Antonella Di Francesco, Annamaria Cucina, Rosaria Saletti, Gleb Zilberstein, Svetlana Zilberstein, Tudor Arhire, Pier Giorgio Righetti and Vincenzo Cunsolo, 8 August 2023, Analytical Chemistry.DOI: 10.1021/ acs.analchem.3 c01461.
The authors acknowledge financing from the University of Catania. They also acknowledge the Bio-Nanotech Research and Innovation Tower of the University of Catania for using a mass spectrometer.
Scientific analysis of letters penned by Vlad III, the 15th century figure believed to have influenced Count Dracula, recommends he may have had skin and respiratory issues and possibly even cried tears of blood. Utilizing a special extraction technique on the documents, researchers identified proteins suggesting prospective health conditions and exposure to specific bacteria.
Vlad III, frequently referred to as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century prince and leader whose chilling track record is believed to have inspired the development of the literary vampire, Count Dracula. Now, a scientific examination of his letters is providing brand-new insights into his health. Scientists now reporting in ACS Analytical Chemistry, say the outcomes recommend that Vlad most likely had skin and breathing conditions and might have even wept literal tears of blood.
The famous figures main title was Vlad III, Voivode of Wallachia, and he lived in the southern region of Romania in the mid-1400s. Obviously, theres no evidence that Vlad III was a vampire, but he was feared for his ruthlessness. Some estimates put his death toll at over 80,000 individuals, many dying by impalement, earning him his nickname.
He was likewise described as Vlad Drăculea, equating to “the child of the dragon,” which lots of think influenced the eponymous character from the novel Dracula.
Vlad III, frequently referred to as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century prince and leader whose chilling track record is believed to have motivated the development of the literary vampire, Count Dracula. Scientists now reporting in ACS Analytical Chemistry, state the outcomes suggest that Vlad most likely had skin and breathing conditions and could have even sobbed literal tears of blood.
Over 500 years have passed considering that Vlads reign, some artifacts have stayed, consisting of numerous letters he penned at different points throughout his life. Vincenzo Cunsolo and associates wanted to, for the first time, investigate these letters to discover more about the health of the infamous Vlad Drăculea, as well as the environment he lived in.