A group of computer scientists, mathematicians, and biologists from around the world have developed a computer algorithm that can help trace the genetic ancestry of thousands of individuals in minutes, without any prior knowledge of their background.

Plot of genetic markers for 255 individuals from four continental regions (Africa, Europe, Asia, America). Red and green represents identical genotypes. Black represents genotypic variations. Notice the distinct patterns formed in the four continental blocks, highlighting the genetic similarities between people of the same ancestry. (Credit: Democritus University of Thrace/Peristera Paschou)

The team’s findings will be published in the September 2007 edition of the journal PLoS Genetics.

Drineas’ research was funded by his National Science Foundation Career award.

Source: ScienceDaily