Similar name, but also "mode" with the satellite navigation program GPS (Global Positioning System) has one a technique developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield, which makes it possible to locate the region of origin of a man in a millennium.
In particular, as mentioned in a university announcement, this tool (Geographic Population Structure-GPS) was created by Eran Elkhik (Sheffield University) and Tatiana Tatarinova (University of Southern California) and its function is similar to that of a satellite system navigation, as it "allows you to find the way home, but not to what you now live, but to that of your ancestors before 1.000 years."
Until recently, scientists were able to pinpoint where DNA was formed to within 700 kilometers – which, in Europe, translates to 'distance' two countries. However, this particular technique has a success rate of 98% in determining the origin of populations from the correct geographical areas, with village and island precision.
Such an achievement – being able to find where the last 'mixing' of the genetic 'reservoirs' that resulted in a person's DNA took place - could have significant implications for the development of personalized medicine, development της επιστήμης της σήμανσης και τη μελέτη πληθυσμών και εθνοτικών ομάδων των οποίων η προέλευση αποτελεί αντικείμενο μελέτης.
A genetic mutation occurs when individuals from two populations that were previously separated are mated and reproduced. This results in the creation of new genetic reservoirs. Such processes are very common in history, especially in cases of massive migrations and invasions.
"If we think that our world is made up of different Colourτα ‘σούπας', που αντιπροσωπεύουν διαφορετικούς πληθυσμούς, είναι εύκολο να οπτικοποιήσουμε το πώς προκύπτει η γενετική μείξη. Αν ένας πληθυσμός από μία περιοχή ‘μπλε σούπας' αναμειχθεί με έναν πληθυσμό από περιοχή ‘κόκκινης σούπας', τότε τα παιδιά τους θα εμφανίζονται ως ‘μωβ σούπα'» αναφέρει ο δρ. Εράν Ελχάικ. «Όσο περισσότερη μείξη λαμβάνει χώρα, τόσο περισσότερα χρώματα εμφανίζονται, κάτι που κάνει δυσκολότερο τον εντοπισμό της καταγωγής του DNA μέσω εργαλείων όπως το SPA (Spatial Ancestry ), which has an accuracy level below 2%".
"What we've discovered is a way to find out where you were born - that's what you see in your passport - but where your DNA was formed before 1.000 years, creating models of these mixing processes. What is remarkable is that we can do so with such precision that we can find the village where your ancestors lived hundreds of years ago. That has been impossible so far. "
To demonstrate the accuracy of GPS estimates, Elkhajk and his colleagues analyzed data from ten villages in Sardinia and over 20 islands in Oceania. According to the study, which was published in Nature Communications, it was possible to 'geo-identify' ¼ of the inhabitants of Sardinia directly in the village of origin and most of the others in 50 radius kilometers. In terms of results for Oceania, they had a success of 90% in identifying the island of origin of the inhabitants.
"This technique means that we can no longer easily label people's national identities with a single label. It is impossible to choose a 'box', such as 'White British' or 'African', as we are very complex models, with our own unique identities. The concept of tribes is simply untenable."
Dr. Tatiana Tatarinova developed a websiteσελίδα for that particular tool, giving the public access to GPS. "To help people find their roots, I developed a site that allows anyone who has their genotype recorded to upload their results and use GPS to find the area of origin of their ancestors," he says.
"We were surprised by the simplicity and accuracy of this method. People in a geographical area are more likely to have similar genetic characteristics. When they have features in other, remote areas, their region of origin is generally the closest area in which these characteristics can be found. "
