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Maternal Lineage (mtDNA) Testing
- only $199.00 ( test for females only)
This type of DNA testing determines what migration
routes your ancient maternal (mother's side) ancestors took.
The maternal lineage test is based on the fact that mitochondrial
DNA is passed down from mother to child relatively unchanged through
several generations. Our mitochondrial DNA contains markers that
can be traced to our early ancestors and where they settled thousands
of years ago. Results of a maternal lineage test are expressed in
terms of haplogroups—genetic groups of people who share the same
set of DNA markers and can be traced to a certain geographic area
that they settled at a particular point in human history.

There are three possible areas in our mtDNA that can be tested:
• HVRI Testing this region is usually
sufficient to determine a person's haplogroup.
• HVRII and HVRIII Testing these
two regions can provide more detail if HVSI testing is not sufficient
to determine affinity to a haplogroup; it could also further refine
a haplogroup into sub-groups, also called sub-clades.
Our testing includes all three regions for $199, giving you the
best coverage of genetic markers for the highest resolution in finding
your haplogroup. Maternal Lineage (mtDNA) Biology What makes mitochondrial
DNA special? Several characteristics of mitochondrial DNA distinguish
it from the rest of your cells' DNA, called nuclear DNA. Results
of a maternal lineage test are expressed in terms of haplogroups—genetic
groups of people who share the same set of DNA markers and can be
traced to a certain geographic area that they settled at a particular
point in human history.
Mitochondrial DNA is:
Found in the cytoplasm, outside the nucleus. Only passed through
the mother. During fertilization, only nuclear DNA from the sperm
enters the cell; thus the father does not make any contribution
to the mitochondrial DNA.
Abundant in number. While your nuclear chromosomes are only found
in 2 copies per cell, one from your mother and one from your father,
mtDNA is found much more abundantlyanywhere between hundreds
to thousands of copies per cell.
Small and circular. While nuclear DNA is made up of much longer
strands of DNA that are tightly coiled into chromosomes, mitochondrial
DNA is found as a small, circular chromosome.
Mitochondrial DNA codes for proteins that are involved in cellular
respiration. In addition, certain regions of the mtDNA are useful
for ancestry research. These regions are called hypervariable regions
(HVR).
HVRs are the site where the most mutations occur in mtDNA. On average,
one letter in the sequence of mtDNA changes every 1,500 years. This
change is then passed on to succeeding generations. The changes
in an individual's mtDNA comprise his or her haplotypethe
mitochondrial DNA profilethat allows scientists to assign
a person to his or her haplogroup, a group of people with similar
haplotypes. The haplogroup is associated with a historical and geographical
origin.
Testing is completed in 4 weeks.
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