AlphaBeta

AlphaBeta is a computational tool to estimate the rate of stochastic changes in DNA methylation, known as spontaneous epimutations, using pedigree-based DNA methylation data. The tool can be applied to study epimutations that are heritable across generations in clonal or sexually derived mutation accumulation lines and somatic epimutations in long-lived perennial plants. By analyzing published and new data using AlphaBeta, researchers found that spontaneous epimutations accumulate neutrally across the genome, primarily arise during somatic development, and can serve as a molecular clock to determine the age of trees. This tool provides valuable insights into the role of stochastic epimutations in shaping the methylome diversity of plants.