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DNA Tribes

From ISOGG Wiki

DNA Tribes
Type Private
Industry Biotechnology
Founded 2006
Founder(s) Lucas Martin and Eduardas Valaitis
Headquarters Arlington, Virginia, USA
Products Autosomal STR tests
Website www.DNATribes.com


DNA Tribes was a personal genomics and biotechnology company based in Arlington, Virginia, USA, that allowed individuals to have their genetic ancestry analyzed based on autosomal STR genetic markers developed by the FBI for individual identification in a forensic context. Autosomal DNA is inherited from both maternal and paternal ancestors. The methodology was a cheek swab kit which was delivered to the customer's home and then sealed and returned for analysis. Results were delivered to the customer via e-mail. The analysis identified a person's best genetic fits among actual world populations.

The company was founded in 2006 by Lucas Martin and Eduardes Valaitis. Lucas Martin passed away on 28 September 2014 at the age of 34.[1] The company ceased operations on 4th January 2019.[2]

Autosomal STR tests

The DNA Tribes test looked at autosomal short tandem repeat STR genetic markers. Autosomal STRs were developed by the FBI for individual identification. Using this system, each person's DNA profile serves as a genetic fingerprint for that individual, with typically less than one in a trillion chance of sharing an identical profile with anyone in the world. Because each autosomal STR profile is so unique to each person, these genetic markers are also the industry standard for court-admissible paternity and maternity testing. DNA Tribes use this highly unique autosomal STR genetic profile to measure a person’s genetic connections to populations and major regions around the world. These are the same genetic markers developed and used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the United States.

DNA Tribes' proprietary analysis has been developed by Dr. Eduardas Valaitis, whose background includes extensive work in multivariate analysis and classification, which involves identifying mathematical structure present within large and complex datasets. The company performs an analysis of world populations to identify genetic structure.

As of February 2017 DNA Tribes offered a single 26-marker autosomal STR test. Previously tests were offered at three different levels: 15, 21 and 27 markers.

DNA Tribes had a population database with samples from 560,000 individuals representing 1,200+ populations around the world, including 950+ indigenous populations:

Autosomal SNP analysis

DNA Tribes did not sell any autosomal SNP tests. They previously offered an autosomal SNP analysis service but as of February 2017 this service was no longer available. The reports provided admixture percentages, multi-dimensional scaling (MDA) plots and a genotype comparison with over 280 populations in the company's SNP database.[3]

Reviews

  • DNA Tribes Test/Analysis Research Log A web page maintained by Charles Kerchner where people can enter details of their expected results from prior knowledge together with their actual results from the DNA Tribes test.
  • My DNA Tribes results by Aidan Byrne, 15 March 2013. A review of the DNA Tribes autosomal SNP analysis service.

Media

External links

References

  1. Lucas Michael Martin obituary Website of the Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, accessed 18 June 2015.
  2. DNA Tribes shutting down. Ups and Downs of Family History, 18 January 2019.
  3. DNA Tribes SNP analysis service, DNA Tribes website as of 22 July 2013, retrieved from the Internet Archive on 29 May 2020


GNU head This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "DNA Tribes".