Genetic Diversity

  • ALFRED: “The ALlele FREquency Database A resource of gene frequency data on human populations supported by the U. S. National Science Foundation.” –  http://alfred.med.yale.edu/alfred/index.asp
  • Apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele distribution in the world. Is APOE*4 a ‘thrifty’ allele?: “APOE is involved in the development of certain pathological conditions. In particular, the APOE*4 allele is a risk factor for susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In the present study we analyzed the APOE allele distribution in the world. The APOE*3 is the most frequent in all the human groups,..” – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10738542&query_hl=11
  • Basic Population Genetics: “Extensive collection of information about Population Genetics, including Theory, History, Software, etc.” – http://www.dorak.info/genetics/popgen.html
  • Coriell Identity Mapping Kit: “Five highly polymorphic tetra-nucleotide microsatellites, FES/FPS, vWA31, D22S417, D10S526, and D5S592, have been characterized by Coriell scientific staff for genotyping purposes and for preparation of the Coriell Identity Mapping Kit. Used as a set, these five microsatellites provide good discrimination between samples, with a matching probability of approximately one in three million.” – http://ccr.coriell.org/ccr/products/mskit.html
  • Genetic Ancestry Tracing and The African Identity: “article by Charles Rotimi, Nigerian and US geneticist about the potentials, benefits and pitfalls of molecular genealogical studies for African-Americans” – http://scbe.stanford.edu/events/pdfs/rotimi.pdf
  • The Genographic Project: “The Genographic Project, a global five-year study collecting DNA from 100,000 indigenous peoples spanning five continents by some of the world’s top population geneticists and other leading experts who are aiming to map the history of human migration via DNA, invites all members of the public to take part. It aims at tracing the genetic lineage of various human populations on the planet – to put it simply, to establish the degree of kinship between the modern peoples. The $40 million privately funded initiative is a collaboration between National Geographic magazine, IBM, and the Waitt Family Foundation charity. IBM will also provide the computing infrastructure for the project, using sophisticated analytical techniques to interpret the information in the biobank and find patterns in the genetic data.” – https://www5.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html
  • History since the last Ice Age: International DNA Projects : “Y chromosome haplogroups, due to the nonrecombining and easily analysed haploid nature of the Y chromosome, and its pattern of male to male transmission, give unique information about population history and, in patriarchal surnaming cultures, about historical identity of surnames. Mitochondrial haplotypes are also easy to determine and since mitochondrial DNA only transmits via the egg, gives high resolution information about the female to female history of populations.” – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~allpoms/genetics3.html
  • Human Genome Epidemiology Network, (HuGENet™) reviews: “A HuGE Review identifies human genetic variations at one or more loci, and describes what is known about the frequency of these variants in different populations, identifies diseases that these variants are associated with and summarizes the magnitude of risks and associated risk factors, and evaluates associated genetic tests. Reviews point to gaps in existing epidemiologic and clinical knowledge, thus stimulating further research in these areas. We invite authors to write reviews in their area of expertise.” – http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/hugenet/reviews.htm
  • In the name of the father: surnames and genetics: “Article explaining Y chromosome studies in relation to paternal surnaming and tests of the origin of any particular surname.” – http://www.le.ac.uk/genetics/maj4/SurnamesForWeb.pdf
  • Pattern of gradient of apolipoprotein E allele *4 frequencies in western Europe.: “The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is located on chromosome 19. APOE*3 is the most common allele, coding for the product E3; APOE*2 codes for an Arg-158–>Cys substitution (E2), and APOE*4 codes for a Cys-112–>Arg product (E4).We completed a meta-analysis of APOE 2, 3 and 4 allele frequencies from 30 geographically defined populations in Europe, including Iceland and Turkey.” – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9057348&query_hl=11
  • Perspectives on Molecular Evolution: “Beginning in the 1960s, evolutionary biology was significantly transformed by the incorporation of ideas and techniques from molecular biology. This led to many novel views (and as many controversies) about phylogenetic relationships, rates and mechanisms of evolutionary change, and standards of inference and hypothesis testing. This interactive website is devoted to recounting, documenting, and analyzing the history of molecular evolutionary biology. This is not just an activity for historians and philosophers. We especially encourage contributions and reactions from biologists. The site will grow through the addition of topics (like those listed on the right), each of which will include discussions, interviews, online documents, bibliographies, and timelines. We hope that the site will be useful for teaching as well as research.” – http://hrst.mit.edu/hrs/evolution/public/
  • Population Genetics links: “Courses with Lecture Notes, Outlines, and Educational Materials” – http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/4709/popgen.htm
  • Public Population Project in Genomics (P3G): “P3G is a non-for-profit international consortium to promote collaboration between researchers in the field of population genomics. It has been launched in order to provide the international population genomics community with the resources, tools and know-how to facilitate data management for improved methods of knowledge transfer and sharing. Its main objective consists in the creation of an open, public and accessible knowledge database. The motto is transparency and collaboration” – http://www.p3gconsortium.org/
  • PhyCom: “A Phylogenetic Community” – http://www.yphy.org/phycom/index.php
  • Quantitative genetics resources: “This list of resources is maintained as an electronic supplement to our forthcoming two volume textbook on Quantitative Genetics to be published by Sinauer Associates. Links to web pages, particular programs, and notes/comments on all issues in quantitative genetics (i.e., animal breeding, plant breeding, evolutionary genetics, human genetics) can be found under the appropriate chapters for each volume.” – http://nitro.biosci.arizona.edu/zbook/book.html
  • Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF) : “The non-profit Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF) is building the world’s largest database of correlated genetic and genealogical data. Our database uses sophisticated DNA analysis to link individuals together, while maintaining strict confidentiality of participants’ information. DNA samples with associated four-generation pedigree charts have already been collected from over 50,000 volunteers by SMGF. Up to 170 genetic markers (specific regions of DNA) on all the chromosomes are analyzed for each individual. The corresponding pedigree chart is also extended by staff genealogists as far as genealogical databases allow; extended pedigrees currently include over one million ancestral records.” – http://smgf.org/about_smgf.html
  • Uncovering African Roots: DNA Tests, New Technology Reveal African Heritage: “NOT LONG AGO, an African American trying to trace their genealogy came up against a seemingly insurmountable obstacle: slavery. Even if ancestry could be traced back through the slave years, it was considered virtually impossible to determine where in Africa one’s family originated. Some time next year Howard University, USA plans to begin offering genetic testing so Americans of African ancestry can determine where on the continent their ancestors came from. Howard University, a historically black college in Washington, D.C., has assembled the largest collection of DNA records from West and Central Africa in the world, some 3,800 samples in all. The collection concentrates on ethnic groups in areas where most slaves in the United States came from. Most blacks brought to the U.S. came from what are now Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, all of which are in West Africa. Smaller numbers came from Senegal, the Gambia, the Congo River basin, and Angola.” – http://www.infoplease.com/spot/slavery2.html