mtDNA
Many people want to know what their ancestery is, or many scientists that are studying mummies would like to know who is related to this ancient kings. By using a mtDNA test, they can find out.
But How?
The method is called mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA analysis. This method involves the analysis of DNA found in the mitochondria, not the nuclear DNA of the nucleus of the body's cells (thus not the 23 pairs). By using this method, you are tracing ancestors through the maternal, not paternal, line. This is because mitochondrial DNA is passed from the mother to her children. Cool huh?
mtDNA sequencing is becoming a powerful tool for identifying hairs without roots and human remains. The mitochondrial genome is 16,569 base pairs in length, circular, and of known sequences. The analysis of mtDNA, therefore, is possible by examination of the exact sequence. Additionally, mtDNA has three characteristics that are forensically significant: <
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mtDNA is present in high copy number.
- individual in the same maternal lineage should have the identical mtDNA sequence.
- mtDNA is maternally inherited; therefore, every
mtDNA appears to be evolving 5 to 10 times faster than nuclear DNA.
