The Phillips DNA Project News

03/27/2010: Phillips DNA Tests in Progress at Family Tree DNA



The following tests were underway at FTDNA as of 27 March 2010:

Due Date, Batch #, Kit #, Type of Test

03/01/2010, 343, 84729, R-L21 SNP

04/02/2010, 333, 82680, Mega mtDNA

04/12/2010, 349, 74772, Family Finder Autosomal Test

05/03/2010, 352, 168702, Backbone Test

05/03/2010, 352, 152678, Family Finder Autosomal Test

05/07/2010, 353, 174738, Y-DNA 12

05/14/2010, 352, 174856, Y-DNA 37

EXPLANATION OF TESTS
:

Y-DNA Test:  This is a test of a man's Y chromosome and it is a male specific test.  Women do not have a Y chromosome.  The Y chromosome is handed down from father to son over the centuries, so results of this test are used to confirm or disprove a genealogical connection on the direct paternal line.  There are four different levels of yDNA tests offered by FTDNA:  12 markers, 24 markers, 37 markers and 67 markers.

MT-DNA Test:  This is a test of mtDNA which is found in both men and women.  It traces the direct maternal line without influence from other lines.  Because mtDNA mutates very slowly, this test is more of an anthropological test than a genealogical test.  FTDNA offers the following mtDNA tests:  HVR1, HVR1 and 2, and Full Sequence (FGS) or Mega test.

Family Finder Test:  This is a test of autosomal DNA which is found in both men and women.  It is designed to trace most of your ancestral lines to identify relationships up to five generations with confidence.

Backbone Test:  When you take any of the yDNA or mtDNA tests at FTDNA, your results include a free haplogroup determination.  Haplogroup is similar to nationality and reflects your very deep, ancient ancestry.  If your yDNA test is inconclusive, FTDNA will perform a free Backbone SNP test to determine your basic haplogroup designation.

Deep Clade Test:  Once you know your Y chromosome male haplogroup, you may then focus on your branch of the phylogenetic tree through subclade testing, also known as Deep Clade testing.  FTDNA currently offers Deep Clade tests for Haplogroups E, G, H, I, J, N, O,  and R.

SNP Test:  You may also focus on your branch of the phylogenetic tree through testing for specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) which help determine your specific subclade.  The L226 SNP test is one example.

Kittler Test:  This is an advanced test of one double marker called DYS385a/b.  By convention, the lowest value is always listed first and the highest value second.  This test will allow you to see the actual order of DYS385a/b.  For example, DYS385a/b is usually 14-11 in Haplogroup R1b and is usually 11-14 in Haplogroup R1a.

DYF371X Test:  This is an advanced test that determines why certain individuals have a null value for DYS425, which is a fairly rare event.

DYS464X Test:  This is an advanced test of DTS464, a fast-moving multi-copy DNA marker.  It could be called a "quazi-SNP" test and it has value for exploring both genealogy and anthropology.

Factoids:  This is a lighthearted "cocktail party" test of predisposition to certain physical traits or conditions.  The list of factoids available to be tested include the following: alcohol flush reaction, avoidance of errors, back pain, bitter taste perception, caffeine metabolism, earwax type, freckling, longevity, male pattern baldness, muscle performance and nicotine dependence.

 

 

Phillips DNA Blog