Where did We All Come From? Tracing Human Migration Using Genetic Markers
Of all species on the face of the earth, humans are the most disperse, in that they occupy the most diverse eco-systems present on all large land masses and most large islands. In recent time, much work has been done using maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA, and non-recombinant Y (NRY) chromosome markers to map human migration and ancestry.
In addition, large numbers of other DNA based markers have been used for similar purposes. However, anthropological geneticists have been looking at human migration and ancestry for as long as there have been genetic markers, starting with the ABO blood groups.
This talk reviews some of the realities and unrealities of ancestry testing as well as the overall patterns of human migration and conclusions that can be made about modern humans in the last 100,000 years.
Professor Moses Schanfield is a world authority on the genetic markers on antibodies, and has applied genetic marker testing, both protein- and DNA-based, to the study of anthropologic and forensic genetics.
| Where did We All Come From? Tracing Human Migration Using Genetic Markers |
| Related Links |
| The Great Human Odyssey This is a three-part CBC documentary series hosted by anthropologist Niobe Thompson, exploring the unlikely survival and the miraculous emergence of Homo sapiens as the world's only global species. |
| The Incredible Human Journey This is a BBC documentary series presented by Alice Roberts, explaining the evidence for the theory of early human migrations out of Africa and subsequently around the world. |
| First Peoples This is a five-part PBS documentary series about how Homo Sapiens migrated across the continents and populated the Earth. |
| The Evolution of Human Biodiversity This is a series of videos on the evolution of human biodiversity from CARTA (Center for Academic Research & Training in Anthropogeny). |
| Ancient DNA and Human Evolution This symposium brings together researchers at the forefront of ancient DNA research and population genetics to discuss current developments and share insights about human migration and adaptation. |
| Origins of Genus Homo This explores evidence bearing on the emergence of our genus, focusing on possible antecedents to Homo, changes in diet and body form as Australopithecus evolved toward Homo, ancient species within the genus, and evolutionary processes. |
| Using Genomes to Track the Evolution of Life on Earth and Beyond James A. Lake, Distinguished Professor of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and Human Genetics, focuses on the changes in understanding evolution. |