Deep Ancestral DNA

The line from son to father(Y-chromosome) and from child to mother (mitochondrial DNA) can be tracked back to ancient times. The roots from which ancestors originated can be elucidated.

Thousands of individuals have entered their genealogical DNA markers in the Ysearch database a free public service of Family Tree DNA (a competitor DNA testing company). Ysearch includes ~100 Y-chromosome markers, but some estimates put the total number of testable Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) markers at over 600. There are also a number of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers on the Y-chromosome that have been identified. Only SNPs exist on the Mitochondrial DNA (passed from mother to child) and these have a very slow mutation rate compared to STRs. While the Y-chromosome can link people on the scale of hundreds of years, the Mitochondrial DNA shows links on the scale of thousands of years.

At Genesis Biolabs we have identified 114 Y-chromosome STR markers as of 23 June, 2008. A number of others are currently being researched. Eventually we will offer all the Y-chromosome markers we identify in our Improved test kits & Labeled Primer Sets. We will also begin offering tests of those markers ourselves. In the meantime, you'll have to go to one of our competitors, such as Family Tree DNA, DNA Heritage, Ethnoancestry, Oxford Ancestors etc.

The Sorenson Molecular Geneology Foundation has a public database and offers free tests of 43 Y-chromosome markers. Results are entered directly into their database, not sent to users. It is a free service and you can find your results in the public database once they are compiled. Don't hold your breath! Past experience suggests that they will take their time.

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