Mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)

Mitochondria are cell organelles which contain mitochondrial DNA.  Normal DNA is contained within what is known as the cell nucleus, the part of the cell which controls everything, or sometimes referred to as the “control centre” of the cell. Mitochondrial DNA is not the same as nuclear DNA.  MtDNA, as it is sometimes referred to, is DNA inherited from the mother and believed to play a key role in the ageing process and diseases associated with old age. 

The mitochondrial DNA genome contains about 16,000 DNA blocks but is comparatively a tiny portion of the total cell DNA. Ancestry testing and relationship testing through the female line is also done by means of MtDNA.  MtDNA is passed from a mother to her children, both male and female, but is not passed from males to their children. It is often used to draw up a DNA profiles in cases where there is a victim of a crime or disaster in which the nucleus DNA was destroyed. Forensic laboratories often use MtDNA for identification of human remains. Our Relationship DNA Testing Services will provide further insight into this particular type of testing.