GENETICS- Software for Tracking Down Ancestry with the use of Anonymous DNA Samples
Saturday, May 5th, 2012A group of biologists, computer scientists and mathematicians from different nations have developed an algorithm that can help in tracking the genetic ancestry of thousands of individuals in only minutes without even having any previous knowledge about their origins.
Unlike similar programs in the past which required having certain previous knowledge on the ancestry or origin of the individual, the new algorithm looks for specific markers in the DNA. These are known to be SNPs or single nucleotide polymorphism which does not require more than a simple DNA sample. The researchers used originating genetic data from previous studies in order to back up their research and to confirm the results. They compare the used data with the originating ones of the new HapMap database which is directed to discover and to map the variations in the human genome.
“Now that we have confirmed that the program works correctly, we hoped to put it to work on a much greater scale, using hundreds of thousands of SNPs and millions of individuals.” states Petros Drineas, who is one of the authors of the study. He also added that the program will be a useful tool to be able to unravel our genetic ancestry and to better orient the use of drugs and other medical treatments since it increases the possibility that it will pose different effects on people who have different ancestries.
Since the program has precised degree that surpass 99 percent and has correctly identified the ancestry of hundreds of individuals during the initial tests, this allows people to find out about their ancestry with remarkable precision. Also, this will help historians and anthropologists in their studies with regards to the origins of the diverse population due to clearly identifying populations which are genetically similar like the Chinese and Japanese and also those which are genetically complex like the Native Americans, Europeans and Africans.















