DNA Tribes
Encyclopedia
DNA Tribes is a personal genomics
and biotechnology
company based in Arlington, Virginia that allows individuals to have their genetic ancestry analyzed based on autosomal
STR genetic markers developed by the FBI for individual identification in a forensic context. DNA Tribes also provides since 2011 a geographical "deep ancestry" analysis that can be performed based on genotype raw data from any of several SNP microarray tests. Autosomal DNA is inherited from both maternal and paternal ancestors. The methodology is a cheek swab kit which is delivered to the customer's home and then sealed and returned for analysis. Results are delivered to the customer via e-mail. The analysis identifies a person's best genetic fits among actual world populations.
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 uses 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, a core set of 13 STR markers are being used to generate a nationwide DNA database called the FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). In addition to these 13 STR markers, DNA Tribes performs analysis on 8 additional markers for a total of 21 autosomal STR markers that have been the industry standard relied on by police investigators and ordinary citizens in U.S. courts of law for 10 years. These powerful markers not only provide personal genetic identification virtually unique to each person, they allow DNA Tribes' proprietary identification of the most detailed map of world genetic regions performed to date.
inference-based modeling audience measurement services reported that 12,748 people visit DNA Tribes.com per month, with a peak high reached in April 2009 of 17,900 individuals.
Personal genomics
Personal genomics is the branch of genomics concerned with the sequencing and analysis of the genome of an individual. The genotyping stage employs different techniques, including single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis chips , or partial or full genome sequencing...
and biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
company based in Arlington, Virginia that allows individuals to have their genetic ancestry analyzed based on autosomal
Autosome
An autosome is a chromosome that is not a sex chromosome, or allosome; that is to say, there is an equal number of copies of the chromosome in males and females. For example, in humans, there are 22 pairs of autosomes. In addition to autosomes, there are sex chromosomes, to be specific: X and Y...
STR genetic markers developed by the FBI for individual identification in a forensic context. DNA Tribes also provides since 2011 a geographical "deep ancestry" analysis that can be performed based on genotype raw data from any of several SNP microarray tests. Autosomal DNA is inherited from both maternal and paternal ancestors. The methodology is a cheek swab kit which is delivered to the customer's home and then sealed and returned for analysis. Results are delivered to the customer via e-mail. The analysis identifies a person's best genetic fits among actual world populations.
Scientific basis
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.STR
DNA Tribes uses a type of autosomal STR genetic markers 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 uses 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, a core set of 13 STR markers are being used to generate a nationwide DNA database called the FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). In addition to these 13 STR markers, DNA Tribes performs analysis on 8 additional markers for a total of 21 autosomal STR markers that have been the industry standard relied on by police investigators and ordinary citizens in U.S. courts of law for 10 years. These powerful markers not only provide personal genetic identification virtually unique to each person, they allow DNA Tribes' proprietary identification of the most detailed map of world genetic regions performed to date.
SNP
DNA Tribes also provides since 2011 a geographical "deep ancestry" analysis that can be performed based on genotype raw data from any of several SNP microarray tests. The report includes both admixture and total similarity comparisons of one's DNA to world genetic structure.Sample populations
Currently, DNA Tribes has 920 sample populations collected by researchers from 305,000 individuals, including 673 populations classified as indigenous populations, and 195 populations classified as Diaspora populations, including multiple Jewish populations from Israel and the world Jewish Diaspora. DNA Tribes' sample population sizes range from 21 to 13,000.STR test
DNA Tribes' world region analysis is based on the subdivision of 10 inhabited major world regions including, European, Near Eastern, Native North American, Sub-Saharan African, Central Asian, South Asian, East Asian, Native Central American, Native South American, Pacific into 36 world sub-regions. World sub-regions include:- Caucasian
- European
- Eastern European: The Slavic-speaking region of eastern Europe.
- Finno-Ugrian: The Uralic-speaking region of northeastern Europe.
- Mediterranean: The Romance-speaking region of southwestern Europe.
- Northwest European: The Celtic and Germanic-speaking region of northwestern Europe.
- Near Eastern
- Arabian: The Arabian Peninsula.
- North African: Populations of the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert.
- Mesopotamian: The historical “Cradle of Western Civilization”, including modern Iran, Iraq and Eastern Anatolia (Turkey).
- Aegean: Anatolia region, modern territories of Southern Italy and Sicily, Greece, and Turkey.
- Levantine: Populations along the coast of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
- European
- South Asian
- Eastern India
- North India (including Pakistan and Eastern Afghanistan)
- South India
- Subsaharan African
- East African
- Southern African
- West African
- East Asian
- American Indian
- Polynesian
7 Continental Zones
- European
- Middle Eastern
- Sub‐Saharan African
- East Asian
- North Asian
- South Asian
- Native American
| Population (October 2011) | European | Middle Eastern | North Asian | South Asian | East Asian | Native American | Sub‐Saharan African |
| Adyghe | 43.9% | 33.5% | 0.0% | 22.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Algeria | 0.0% | 93.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.0% |
| Armenian | 30.2% | 58.7% | 0.0% | 11.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Balochi | 8.9% | 24.0% | 0.0% | 67.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Basque | 82.5% | 17.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Belarus | 98.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.7% | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| Bergamo | 69.3% | 30.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Bulgaria | 75.9% | 24.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Chuvash | 71.0% | 0.0% | 22.2% | 5.2% | 0.0% | 1.7% | 0.0% |
| Cornwall | 95.7% | 4.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Cyprus | 29.5% | 70.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Dargin | 50.3% | 23.1% | 0.0% | 26.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Egypt | 0.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| England | 96.2% | 3.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Finland | 95.2% | 0.0% | 4.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| France | 85.3% | 14.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Greece | 55.4% | 44.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Hungary | 90.9% | 9.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Iran | 14.9% | 57.2% | 0.0% | 28.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Ireland | 96.1% | 3.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Kurdish | 23.7% | 54.3% | 0.0% | 22.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lebanon | 15.4% | 77.2% | 0.0% | 7.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lezgin | 45.6% | 30.0% | 0.0% | 24.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Libya | 0.0% | 96.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.4% |
| Lithuania | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Makrani | 1.0% | 37.6% | 0.0% | 61.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Mordvin | 90.0% | 0.0% | 5.4% | 3.4% | 0.0% | 1.2% | 0.0% |
| Nogay | 39.3% | 22.7% | 12.6% | 20.1% | 4.9% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| North Morocco | 0.0% | 99.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.0% |
| Orkney | 96.3% | 3.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Portugal | 67.5% | 32.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Romania | 69.2% | 25.2% | 0.0% | 5.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Russia | 96.7% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 1.6% | 0.0% |
| Sardinia | 58.3% | 41.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Scandinavia | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Selkup | 29.2% | 0.0% | 67.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.1% | 0.0% |
| Slovenia | 93.9% | 6.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| South Italy and Sicily | 46.5% | 53.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Spain | 75.9% | 24.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Tunisia | 0.0% | 99.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Turkey | 33.9% | 46.3% | 0.0% | 19.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Tuscany | 63.2% | 36.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Ukraine | 98.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Uzbek | 25.1% | 10.8% | 22.2% | 26.7% | 14.4% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| Vologda | 91.7% | 0.0% | 6.6% | 0.5% | 0.0% | 1.2% | 0.0% |
20 World Regions
- Atlantic European
- Caucasus‐Anatolian
- Arabian
- North African
- Baltic-Urals
- Indus Valley
- South India
- West African
- Southern African
- Central African
- African Great Lakes
- Horn of Africa
- Southeast Asian
- Chinese
- Manchurian
- Siberian
- Arctic
- Mongolian
- Oceanian
- Mesoamerican
| Population (October 2011) | Atlantic European | Baltic-Urals | Caucasus-Anatolian | North African | Arabian | Indus Valley | South India | Siberian | Arctic | Mongolian | Other |
| Adyghe | 0.0% | 1.7% | 92.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 4.4% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0.0% |
| Algeria | 3.8% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 86.0% | 9.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.7% |
| Armenian | 0.0% | 0.0% | 83.3% | 0.0% | 16.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Basque | 92.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5.9% | 1.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Belarus | 27.2% | 68.6% | 4.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Bergamo | 72.5% | 0.0% | 12.2% | 3.2% | 12.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Bulgaria | 70.7% | 0.0% | 23.6% | 0.0% | 5.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Chuvash | 0.0% | 67.0% | 5.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.1% | 0.0% | 10.0% | 3.9% | 5.8% | 0.9% |
| Cornwall | 97.8% | 2.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Cyprus | 7.1% | 0.0% | 46.0% | 0.0% | 47.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Egypt | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 8.8% | 88.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.4% |
| England | 94.1% | 5.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Finland | 0.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| France | 93.4% | 0.0% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 3.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Greece | 36.5% | 0.0% | 51.4% | 2.9% | 9.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Hungary | 69.8% | 21.0% | 5.6% | 0.0% | 1.8% | 1.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Ireland | 86.6% | 13.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Lebanon | 0.8% | 0.0% | 43.8% | 5.3% | 45.7% | 2.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.7% |
| Lezgin | 0.0% | 4.2% | 80.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 15.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lithuania | 0.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mordvin | 0.0% | 84.9% | 8.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.8% | 0.0% | 1.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Nogay | 0.1% | 12.3% | 59.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.6% | 0.0% | 2.9% | 1.4% | 10.1% | 5.7% |
| North Morocco | 12.5% | 0.0% | 1.7% | 85.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Orkney | 88.5% | 10.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Portugal | 71.3% | 3.7% | 1.2% | 15.1% | 8.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Romania | 54.9% | 7.8% | 24.3% | 0.0% | 10.1% | 0.0% | 2.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Russia | 29.3% | 64.6% | 4.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.9% |
| Sardinia | 69.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 9.8% | 20.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Scandinavia | 88.0% | 10.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Slovenia | 74.4% | 20.3% | 5.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Southern Italy and Sicily | 38.2% | 0.0% | 31.1% | 2.0% | 28.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Spain | 86.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.4% | 6.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Tunisia | 9.4% | 0.0% | 3.6% | 87.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Turkey | 0.0% | 0.0% | 84.4% | 0.8% | 9.8% | 0.7% | 1.4% | 2.0% | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Tuscany | 61.0% | 0.0% | 18.0% | 0.3% | 20.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Ukraine | 31.8% | 61.7% | 5.6% | 0.0% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Vologda | 0.0% | 95.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.4% | 0.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% |
Time Magazine
Journalist Carolina A. Miranda reviewed DNA Tribes in her article for Time Magazine, "Diving into the Gene Pool."The New York Times
In 2006, journalist Amy Harmon referred to DNA Tribes in her article for the New York Times, "The DNA Age: Seeking Ancestry in DNA Ties Uncovered by Tests," which discussed the use of DNA testing by adopted children searching for the ethnic identity of their birth parents and the implications for applying for financial aid with results showing Native American ethnicity. She wrote, "Driving the pursuit of genetic bounty are start-up testing companies with names like DNA Tribes and Ethnoancestry. For $99 to $250, they promise to satisfy the human hunger to learn about one's origins — and sometimes much more."The San Francisco Chronicle
Journalist Jeff Yang reviewed DNA Tribes for his article in the San Francisco Chronicle on Asian populations called "Get Your Genes On."Quantcast
In June 2009, QuantcastQuantcast
Quantcast is a California based company that provides publishers and marketers with the ability to understand, deliver and reach their best audiences at a massive scale...
inference-based modeling audience measurement services reported that 12,748 people visit DNA Tribes.com per month, with a peak high reached in April 2009 of 17,900 individuals.
See also
- Genealogical DNA testGenealogical DNA testA genealogical DNA test examines the nucleotides at specific locations on a person's DNA for genetic genealogy purposes. The test results are not meant to have any informative medical value and do not determine specific genetic diseases or disorders ; they are intended only to give genealogical...
, particularly the section on geographic origin tests - deCODE geneticsDecode GeneticsdeCODE genetics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Reykjavík, Iceland. The company was founded in 1996 to identify human genes associated with common diseases using population studies, and apply the knowledge gained to guide the development of candidate drugs...
- FamilyTreeDNAFamilyTreeDNAFamily Tree DNA is a commercial genetic genealogy company based in Houston, Texas with its partner laboratory, Arizona Research Labs, housed at the University of Arizona. Family Tree DNA offers analysis of autosomal DNA, YDNA, and mtDNA to individuals for genealogical purposes based on DNA samples...
- NavigenicsNavigenicsNavigenics, Inc. is a privately held personal genomics company, based in Foster City, California, that uses genetic testing to help people determine their individual risk for dozens of health conditions....
- 23andme23andMe23andMe is a privately held personal genomics and biotechnology company based in Mountain View, California that is developing new methods and technologies that will enable consumers to understand their own genetic information...