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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2006-07 > 1153706374


From: Bonnie Schrack <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] Company Comparison Chart
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 21:59:34 -0400


Nelda,

> I'm working on the mtDNA chart, take a look and tell me what you
> think.. I
> don't know how to really list the specifics for the tests because I still
> don't know the markers.. I think possibly DNA FP comes closest to
> actually
> listing them .. but are they listed seperatly on a mtdna test result
> sheet?
>
> Anyway those of you who do mtDNA really should advise me on this..

They don't really test "markers" per se in mtDNA, they sequence a whole
continuous stretch of the DNA. Then, in your test results, they list
the points on it where you happen to have a mutation that differs from
the standard Cambridge Reference Sequence, which is in haplogroup H.
The locations of these mutations vary by the haplogroup. Some people
have few, and some have many. I don't think it would be practical for
you to list all the possible mutations even in the Hypervariable Regions
that are usually tested, as the list would be extremely long.

What I think you'd want to do instead, for company comparisons, is list
what segments they test. Everyone tests the HVR1 segment, probably most
of these also test HVR2, and very few test the rest of the mtDNA, known
as the Coding Region. The FTDNA full-genome mtDNA test is the only one
I know of that is definitely available at the moment.

What you should find out is the exact places where each company's
definition of HVR1 and HVR2 begins and ends. It can vary from one
company to another, and this is a significant factor to consider. For
example, FTDNA says they test, in HVR1 and HVR2,

> 16001 to 16569 and 00001 to 00574, for a total of 1143 base pairs.

Some other companies don't test as many base pairs as that.

Best of luck in your efforts, and thanks for creating this helpful resource,

Bonnie





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