For those of you who have expressed an interest…
So I received my 2 DNA sample kits from National Geographic. It comes with some interesting literature, various informational, legal notices, and a DVD containing a copy of the documentary that some of you may have seen on the History Channel about the beginnings of this project. Also in each kit are 2 sample swabs and 2 sample vials and a padded return mailing envelope (not shown here because I already sent them).
The samples are take with a textured swab with which you scrape cells off the inside of your cheek (no, it’s not painful). The swabs have a neat gizmo that lets you eject their tips into the sample vials without having to touch them to reduce the possibility of contamination. Each kit requires you to collect 2 samples, eight hours apart. Both samples are sent in and cross-checked to ensure proper data.
For a single kit, you can only trace back either the Paternal or Maternal DNA markers. I had ordered 2 kits to trace both lines, so ended up gathering 4 samples in all. Each kit comes with a serial number that you will use to log into their website and track the processing and view the results. It’s an ongoing project and over time its possible that more information and detail will come to light about your blood groups as data is continued to be gathered around the world.
There are 3 basic phases you track your samples through:
1. ARRIVAL AND BATCH CREATION
The kits are received at the Houston office of Family Tree DNA and checked in. All of the kits are assigned to a batch and shipped to the Arizona Research Labs at the University of Arizona. The samples are received at the university and the orders are transferred to a computer system. The computer sorts the orders and assigns each sample to a specific location in one of many sample grids As the barcodes on the samples are read the computer directs the researchers where to place each sample (which tray and which coordinates).
2. DNA ISOLATION
The cells are broken open by incubation with a protein-cutting enzyme overnight. Chemicals and the samples are transferred into deep well blocks for robotic DNA isolation. The blocks of chemicals and samples are placed on the extraction robot. The robotic DNA isolation uses silica-coated iron beads. In the presence of the appropriate chemicals DNA will bind to silica. The robot then uses magnetic probes to collect the beads (and DNA) and transfer them through several chemical washes and finally into a storage buffer, which allows the beads to release the DNA. At this point the beads are collected and discarded.
3. DNA ANALYSIS AND QUALITY CONTROL
The samples are transferred into PCR amplification plates for testing using a robotic liquid handling station. The appropriate chemicals are added to the samples to amplify the targeted regions of the DNA for testing. The samples are heated and cooled in a thermal cycler in order to run the PCR amplification. The PCR amplification products are loaded into the capillary electrophoresis machine and the products are sorted by size and color.
A laboratory staff member uses a computer program to assign scores to the samples. The computer generated scores are then reviewed by two additional laboratory staff members to produce finalized data.
My samples are currently at step 1. They’ve arrived and have been batched.
I'll post results as I get them.
http://www.NationalGeographic.com/GenographicRegards,
Wab
