MtDNA testing comparison chart
From ISOGG Wiki
This mtDNA testing comparison chart provides comparative information on the mitochondrial DNA tests offered by the major genetic genealogy testing companies.
For background information on purchasing a DNA test see Before You Buy and and Choosing a DNA testing company.
For guidelines on DNA testing see the Genetic genealogy standards.
This chart is provided for informational purposes only. Edits/additions can be made upon ISOGG member request and subject to approval. Please submit additions, corrections/updates to .
| Company name | 23andMe | Family Tree DNA[1] | Full Genomes Corporation | Genebase | Living DNA | YSEQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Chip-based genotyping | Next generation sequencing 2000x coverage[2] | Next generation sequencing | Sanger sequencing? | Chip-based genotyping | Sanger sequencing |
| Main purpose of test | Health and traits (some countries only). Ancestry: DNA Relatives, global origins, ancestral haplogroups |
Genealogy | Y-SNP discovery and whole genome sequencing | Genealogy | Genealogy, biogeographical analysis and deep ancestry | Deep ancestry |
| HVR1 only test | Not available | Discontinued[3] | Not available | $119 | Not available | $25 |
| HVR1+HVR2 test | Not available | Discontinued | Not available | $189 | Not available | $25 |
| HVR1 bases tested | Selected branch-defining SNPs | Not applicable | Not applicable | 16001-16520 | Selected branch-defining SNPs | 15950-16569 |
| HVR2 bases tested | Selected branch-defining SNPs | Not applicable | Not applicable | 1-400 | Selected branch-defining SNPs | 1-620 |
| Entire mtDNA genome (HVR1, HVR2 + coding region = 16569 bases) | No | $159[4] | $1150 for a 30x whole genome sequence; $645 Y Elite 2.1 80x[5] | $528 | No | $145[6] |
| Haplogroup SNP test (for HVR1+HVR2 tests only) | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Included in the cost of the HVR1 + HVR2 test | Not applicable | No |
| Chip test | $199 in the US (an ancestry-only test is also available in the US For $99); CAD $199 Canada, £149 UK; €169 Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Finland and the Netherlands. An international ancestry-only kit is available in selected countries for US $149 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | $159 US; £120 UK; €159.00 Europe; $199 Australia | Not applicable |
| Number of mtDNA SNPs tested (for chip tests only) | 4000+ positions on the mtDNA genome | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | 4000+ positions on the mtDNA genome | Not applicable |
| Shipping charges | $14.95 for the first kit and $5 per kit for additional kits in the US; £9.95 for the UK. See 23andMe international availability for costs in other countries. | $9.95 for the USA and for international orders (prepaid return postage is included for US kits)[7] | $25 for the US; $39 for international orders | Regular delivery, approximately 7 to 10 business days - $10.00 USD. Express delivery, 1 to 2 business days - $25.00 USD | Included in the cost of the test | Free for mtComplete; $6 (€5.22) for a first-time customer ordering HRV1 and/or HVR2 |
| International product availability | 56 countries. See See 23andMe international availability for details. | Worldwide | Worldwide | Worldwide | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| DNA sample storage | Yes, indefinitely | Yes, for a minimum of 25 years | No, but the option might be added in the future | Yes, for 25 years | Free for a minimum of 10 years | Free unlimited storage[8] |
| Phylotree Build[9] | Build 12 | Build 17 | Not applicable[10] | ? | Build 17 | Build 17 |
| Raw data/FASTA file provided | Yes | Yes | ? | ? | No | Yes |
| Projects supported | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes though no mtDNA projects have yet been established |
| Online community or forum | Active online community for 23andMe members, including demo accounts | Public FTDNA forums | Full Genomes Facebook group | ? | No | YSEQ Facebook group |
| Genealogical matching database | For autosomal DNA only | Yes | No | Yes | Not yet available | No |
| Size of mtDNA matching database | Not applicable | 215,000+ mtDNA full sequences[11] | Not applicable | Not known | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Additional DNA testing options available from this company | Yes, Y-SNP testing, biogeographical analysis and red hair test | Yes, multiple options for Y chromosome STR testing, single SNP tests, and autosomal genome wide scans | No | Yes, multiple options for Y chromosome STR testing, some Y-SNP testing | No | Yes, whole genome sequencing and multiple options for Y-STR, autosomal STR, X-STR and Y-SNP testing |
| Lead scientists in the company | Joanna Mountain, Steve Lemon | Michael Hammer, Connie Bormans | ? | Martin Blythe | Thomas Krahn, Astrid Krahn | |
| Outside consultants for the company | Itsik Pe’er, Peter Underhill, Serafim Batzoglou, George Church, Michael Eisen, Marcus Feldman, Daphne Koller, Stanley Nelson, Jonathan Pritchard | Bruce Walsh, Doron Behar[12] | Greg Magoon | ? | ? | Not applicable |
| Ownership | Privately held by various investors, particularly Anne Wojcicki, Johnson & Johnson Development Corp., The Roche Venture Fund, Google Ventures, and New Enterprise Associates | Gene by Gene | Privately held | ? | DNA Worldwide Directors: David Nicholson and Hannah Morden | Thomas Krahn and Astrid Krahn |
| Lab(s) used | National Genetics Institute (a subsidiary of LabCorp), Los Angeles, California |
Family Tree DNA Genomics Center, Houston, Texas | Novogene | Genetrack Biolabs | Eurofins | YSEQ GmbH, Berlin, Germany |
| Method for collecting the sample | Saliva sample (about 1 cc) | Cheek swab | Saliva sample or cheek swab | Cheek swab | Cheek swab | Cheek swab |
| Address | 23andMe 899 W Evelyn Ave Mountain View CA 94041 USA |
Family Tree DNA 1445 North Loop West Suite 820 Houston TX 77008 USA |
Full Genomes Corporation Inc 2275 Research Blvd Suite 500 Rockville MD 20850 USA |
Genebase Systems Inc 200-2806 Kingsway Vancouver BC V5R 5T5 Canada |
Living DNA K10 The Courtyard Jenson Avenue Commerce Park Frome Somerset BA11 2FG England |
YSEQ GmbH Kettinger Straße 32 12305 Berlin Germany |
| Contact | FTDNA Contact Form | |||||
| Phone number | Enter a ticket online at customer care for a call-back | 713-868-1438 | All communications are via e-mail | 1-604-714-6357 | 0203 424 3482 | (1) 281-627-8139 |
| Year founded | 2006 | 2000 | 2012 | 2005 (1998)[13] | 2004 (2016)[14] | 2013 |
Notes
- ↑ Family Tree DNA also processes tests for a number of affiliate companies: African DNA, iGENEA, DNA Ancestry & Family Origin and DNA Worldwide. Participants who join Family Tree DNA's database from these companies will have kit numbers that begin with 'A' from African DNA, 'E' from iGENEA, 'M' from DNA Ancestry & Family Origin, and 'U' from DNA Worldwide. National Geographic Genographic kit transfers begin with 'N'. Family Tree DNA acquired DNA Heritage in April 2011. DNA Heritage customers were given the option of transferring their results to the FTDNA database. DNA Heritage kit numbers begin with the letter 'H'.
- ↑ Canada RA. How do you perform mtDNA mitochondrial DNA) tests? FAQ, Family Tree DNA Learning Center, 1 January 2014. Retrieved from the Internet Archive, 31 July 2017.
- ↑ FTDNA discontinued the HVR1 test in May 2013
- ↑ This test is known as the full mitochondrial sequence (FMS) test. It was previously referred to as the full genomic sequence (FGS) or mega test.
- ↑ The WGS test provides 100% coverage of the mtDNA genome. The YElite test is a Y-chromosome sequence test which reports on all known Y-SNPs plus an unpredictable number of novel Y-SNPs and 300+ Y-STRs. The full mtDNA sequence is included in the test as a bonus. There is 90%-100 coverage of the mtDNA genome with the YElite depending on the sample.
- ↑ YSEQ also has an mtUpgrade panel for $115 (including shipping) to upgrade a HVR test to a complete mtDNA sequence. It doesn't matter if the HVR1/2 was done at YSEQ or elsewhere. YSEQ also offers whole genome sequencing which includes a full mtDNA sequence and in depth mtDNA analysis
- ↑ Shipping DNA tests worldwide FTDNA Learning Center. Accessed 12 January 2021.
- ↑ YSEQ cannot guarantee how long samples will be usable. If a sample degrades a free replacement kit will be provided. The customer will need to pay the return postage back to Berlin.
- ↑ The mtDNA tree is maintained by Phylotree. The current version is Build 17.
- ↑ An mtDNA haplogroup classification is not provided. The customer is given the sequence in FASTA format for self-analysis with third party tools
- ↑ About the Family Tree DNA database Family Tree DNA website. Accessed 27 November 2021. The database also includes about another 80,000 HVRI or HVRI+HVR2 tests.
- ↑ Who's who at Family Tree DNA
- ↑ Genebase launched in 2005. Genetrack Biolabs launched in 1998.
- ↑ DNA Worldwide was founded in 2004. Living DNA launched in 2016.
See also
- Before You Buy
- Beginners' guides to genetic genealogy
- Choosing a DNA testing company
- Mitochondrial DNA portal
- Mitochondrial DNA tests
- List of mtDNA haplogroup projects
- mtDNA tools
- Privacy
- Shipping DNA kits
- Understanding genetic ancestry testing
Further reading
- Coakley L. Which DNA testing company should I use? Genie1 blog (a review from the perspective of people living in Australia and New Zealand]
- Griffith S. Buyer beware links. Genealogy Junkie, 14 May, 2014.
- Griffith S. Notes for UK (& Ex-US) residents re DNA testing companies. Genealogy Junkie, 16 January 2014.
- MacArthur D. Ready to test your DNA: how to choose a genetic testing company. PRI's The World, 22 March 2012.
- Aulicino E. Which DNA testing company fits your needs? Genealem blog, 23 May 2009.
- Wagner JK, Cooper JD, Sterling R, and Royal CD. Tilting at windmills no longer: a data-driven discussion of DTC DNA ancestry tests. Genetics in Medicine 2012:14(6):586–593. The article provides a snapshot of the direct-to-consumer DNA ancestry testing industry in April 2010 based on a survey of company websites.
Resources
- DNAtestingchoice.com A DNA testing review website
Disclaimer
23andMe, DNA Ancestry & Family Origin, Family Tree DNA, Full Genomes Corporation, iGENEA, Genebase, Living DNA and YSEQ are registered, trademarked, and/or copyrighted names of companies, websites and organizations, not affiliated with ISOGG.