Combo DNA Ancestry Test

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is found in the mitochondria of human cells. Each cell contains several mitochondria, and each mitochondrion holds multiple copies of mtDNA. This means that every cell has thousands of copies of mtDNA. Unlike nuclear DNA, which we inherit two copies of per cell, mtDNA is inherited only from our mothers. Because mtDNA remains unchanged through the maternal line, it provides a powerful tool for tracing maternal ancestry.

The mitochondrial genome is circular and consists of three main regions: two small hypervariable (HVR) regions and a large coding region. You can sequence just the HVR1 region, both HVR1 and HVR2, or the entire mitochondrial genome (HVR1, HVR2, and the coding region).

Most variation in mtDNA occurs in the hypervariable regions, which account for about 1,100 bases of the genome. A match in these regions between two individuals can help trace common maternal ancestry. Further sequencing of the larger coding region allows for a more precise comparison and higher resolution. The full mitochondrial genome is 16,569 base pairs long.

Your mtDNA test report will provide the full DNA sequence for the regions tested. The results are compared to the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS), and any differences in your mtDNA compared to this reference will be listed in your report.

Your unique mtDNA sequence is known as your mtDNA profile. Because mtDNA is passed down maternally, individuals from the same maternal lineage will have identical or very similar mtDNA profiles. If two people have different mtDNA profiles, it confirms they do not share the same maternal lineage.

Y-DNA refers to the genetic material found on the male sex chromosome, the Y chromosome. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, consisting of 22 autosomal chromosomes and two sex chromosomes – X and Y. Females inherit one X chromosome from each parent, while males inherit an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father. Unlike the X chromosome, the Y chromosome undergoes very little recombination in males, meaning that Y-DNA is passed down almost unchanged through the paternal line, making it an ideal tool for tracing paternal ancestry.

A Y-STR test analyzes specific markers on the Y chromosome known as Short Tandem Repeats (STRs). STRs are small segments of DNA (2-13 nucleotides) that repeat multiple times. These markers vary in the number of repeats, and the frequency of changes makes them useful for distinguishing between individuals. Relatives on the same paternal line tend to share similar Y-STR profiles, whereas those from different paternal lines will show significant differences.

The Y-STR test examines the number of repeat units at each marker tested – you can choose from 20, 44, or 101 markers, depending on the level of detail you need. By comparing the STR markers from two individuals, the test helps determine if they share a common paternal ancestor.

The “TMRCA” (Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor) calculation estimates how many generations ago the two males most likely shared a paternal ancestor. The more STR markers you analyze, the more precise and reliable the TMRCA calculation will be, giving you a clearer picture of your paternal lineage.