MicroBiology

Mitochondria are a substance that is present in all our cells in the body. They perform one of the important functions of producing energy for our day-to day activities. Mitochondrial DNA testing is a test that determines your maternal ancestry with the help of the mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA is abbreviated as mtDNA.

The mtDNA is present in the mitochondria that are the regarded as the powerhouse of the cells of the body. This DNA is passed to a child from the mother. Thus, it is very helpful to map out the maternal lineage of an individual. However, the mtDNA is inherited by both a girl and a boy from their mothers, but only girls can pass this mtDNA to their offspring’s.

In mitochondrial DNA testing, the mtDNA of the individual is sequenced. Then these sequences are compared in order to trace out that the individuals share the similar maternal line or not. There will be predictable similarities between the mtDNA sequences of the maternally linked individuals.

Now, you may come across a question that who can be tested for the mtDNA testing? Basically, this test demands the participation of more than one person who are interested to know whether they are related biologically to their mothers. The participants can be both, males and females. The fee for this teat is calculated on the participation of per person, so there is no bar regarding the number of persons participating in the test.

Mitochondrial DNA testing process:

The DNA samples of the participating individuals are collected using a pain free method called buccal swab method. These buccal swabs resemble the cotton wool buds. At the time of sample collection, four buccal swabs are wiped against the individuals cheeks internally. Tow buccal swabs are used on both the cheeks. The rubbing movement collects the loose cells of the cheeks and the DNA needed for genetic testing is present in these cells. In this way, the DNA sample is collected from the participants.

Results of mtDNA testing:

mitochondrial DNA testing will possibly yield two results: that the participants are related to one another maternally and that they are not related to one another maternally. The time required for the test results to come out is about three to four weeks.

The mitochondrial DNA testing is used to: Find out whether you are linked with others having the same surname. It is used to verify if there is some relation between two people. It determines whether the two persons descend from the similar ancestors.  It offers clues or hints regarding your ethnic origin. It can be used successively to prove to disprove the research of your family tree.

The mitochondrial DNA testing has been carried out from many years ago. However, it is only recently that its cost has come variably down to the realm of possibility of an average individual, as well. There are even home DNA testing kits available. You can order them, send your DNA sample cells from the inside of your mouth and you will receive your results within a month.