Genetic lab maps ancestral human travel
Routes created from National Geographic participation kits
The UA's Human Origins Genotyping Laboratory is doing genetic testing
for a project that attempts to connect the remote ancestry of human
beings.
The
lab does DNA testing from public participation kits submitted to
National Geographic's "The Human Genographic Project," which is using
modern DNA to map the genetic migration of ancient humans as they left
Africa and colonized the world.
As the DNA blueprint of humans
is copied from parent to child, mutations will occur over time, said
Matt Kaplan, Arizona research lab staff scientist and project lead.
These genetic markers are used to group people with their common
ancestors and determine their possible route out of Africa.
"The
bigger role that the Genographic Project will play in history will be
that this is an incredible public outreach," Kaplan said. "This is you
learning about your genetics. Everybody has a story, and this is your
story about your journey."
"It's a huge operation and it has
very, very global implications, but also very, very localized
implications," said research specialist Barbara Fransway.
Participants buy a test kit through National Geographic and send in two cheek-swab samples of their DNA.
For
participating, they will receive an online map of their ancestors'
route out of Africa and specific information about the DNA they belong
to.
The funds generated from the kits will help pay for
collecting genetic samples from indigenous people to get the fullest
scope of the migratory history of the human race.
As of Thursday, the UA has tested 266,667 DNA samples, Fransway said.
Every week the lab receives a shipment of 1,500 to 2,000 samples but their peak volume
is 4,000 samples a week, Kaplan said. He added that testers are
constantly striving to increase efficiency and maintain accuracy. The
bigger role that the Genographic Project will play in history will be
that this is an incredible public outreach. This is you learning about
your genetics. Everybody has a story, and this is your story about your
journey.
-Matt Kaplan
Arizona research lab staff scientist and project lead |
The
lab also provides an educational opportunity for students to work
directly on the project. The lab currently employs nine undergraduate
students and four high school students who are involved in most steps
of the DNA-testing process, Kaplan said.
"It's not just the lab
work for me," said Crystal Richt, a student employee and a ecology and
evolutional biology senior. "It's about meeting people and realizing
other opportunities available."
Biochemistry junior Donn
Ellstrom, who has been working at the lab since January, said he enjoys
the working environment and feels that the researchers he is working
with are also great mentors and teachers.
Fransway said the
project opens up dialogue on human evolution and allows the general
public to see how they fit into the human family tree.
"The fact
that we are all related, and we can prove that genetically, and we have
proved it - that's a very powerful thing," she said.Arizona Daily Wildcat
Issue date: 8/29/07 Section: News
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 27 November 2007 )
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