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September 05, 2008

If it’s Tuesday it must be a single nucleotide polymorphism

by Peter Pitts

Scientists have shown that they can use genomic analysis to pinpoint a person's geographical origins to within just a few hundred kilometers. Besides offering possibilities for the testing of genetic ancestry, the research could also have important implications for understanding the role of genes in complex diseases and other genomic-based health studies.

By plotting the differences between genetic variations of 3,000 Europeans in a two-dimensional grid, the researchers were able to reveal a pattern that looks remarkably like Europe. The scientists included researchers from CornellUniversity; the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); the University of Chicago; and the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland. The findings appear in this week's issue of Nature.

Fortunately the Critical Path does not require a visa -- but it does require funding -- now!

Posted by peterpitts at September 5, 2008 09:31 AM

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