On June 18, we announced an exciting new partnership with the online genealogy leader, Ancestry.com, by way of our parent company and laboratory, Sorenson Genomics. DNA testing and select genetic genealogy services formerly provided by Relative Genetics are now offered exclusively through Ancestry.com. All Relative Genetics' information will migrate to Ancestry.com except for data of individuals who have expressly notified us to the contrary.
As part of the data migration, we are taking the opportunity to recalibrate some of the markers in our data set, specifically DYS 442, DYS 452, DYS 463, GATA A10, and GATA H4. These changes are effective as of August 1, 2007.
Sorenson Genomics adopts industry standards in reporting nomenclature as specified by organizations, such as the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG). While your DNA remains constant, adopting the most current naming conventions often results in changes to your haplotype data, as is the case with these five markers. You may be aware that there are some discrepancies within the genetic genealogy community in the names and methods used to identify loci and allele values. This is to be expected in an emerging field with ever-advancing scientific methods and discoveries. As the industry identifies and adopts new markers, the standards bodies periodically respond by making recommendations for a standardized naming convention for each marker. As a result, it becomes necessary for us to adjust our reporting nomenclature to meet these conventions.
Allele Changes
Action taken: Increased allele value by 5 to include the following repeat structure: (TATC)2(TGTC)3(TATC)n. Formerly, only the (TATC)n repeat was counted.
Action taken: Increased allele value by 19 to include the following repeat structure (TATAC)2(TGTAC)2(TATAC)n(CATAC)1(TATAC)1(CATAC)1 (TATAC)3-4(CATAC)0-2(TATAC)0-3(CATAC)1(TATAC)3. Formerly, only the (TATAC)n repeat was counted.
Action taken: Increased allele value by 2 to include the following repeat structure: (AAAGG)n(AAGGG)n(AAGGA)2. Formerly, only the (AAAGG)n(AAGGG)n repeats were counted.
Action taken: Increased allele value by 2 to include the following repeat structure: (TCCA)2(TATC)n. Formerly, only the (TATC)n repeat was counted.
Action taken: Locus name has changed to GATA H4.1 to reflect the correct region of DNA amplification. Allele values will be increased by 10 to include the following repeat structure (AGAT)4CTAT(AGAT)2(AGGT)3(AGAT)n. Formerly, only the (AGAT)n repeat was counted.
Certificates
Relative Genetics' customer certificates, available in PDF format on the www.relativegenetics.com website, are being modified to reflect the nomenclature changes described above. Presently, the PDF link has been removed from the website until the certificates are modified. As certificates are modified, the new PDF link will be activated on the website. Please note that the data in your MYDNA, MYPROJECTS and MYSEARCH website page views do accurately reflect the above changes to each locus.
Should you have any questions about this change, please contact us via info@relativegenetics.com or our Client Support Team 800-956-9362.
It has been our pleasure to provide genetic genealogy services and support to our faithful and valued customers over the years.
Best regards,
The Relative Genetics Team