Genealogy: The First Step In Sequencing My DNA

A lot of people are interested in figuring out their genetic heritage. With that information they seek to figure out if their is a root cause to their health problems or just to see where their family was from based off of their DNA. Sequencing and analyzing DNA for individuals was not always possible. But as new methods were created, DNA analysis services were sold to people so they could have a deeper understanding about themselves, like how ones body is effected by caffeine.

DNA profiles are very useful as although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, there is also enough DNA present which is different; this allows you to be able to distinguish one individual from another. This is the case for everyone apart from monozygotic twins. (Joseph Wambaugh)

The human genome project is a way of inspecting our molecular selves. There are three billions of letters that make up the DNA in the human genome that scientists have to study in order to understand our molecular cells. Furthermore, there are all distinct sets of genes that interact with environmental factors, which directly influence things like our physical appearance, personalities and risks for diseases. Geneticist, Jeffery C. Long “None of the observable traits that people associate with race are simple genetic traits. Complex traits are influenced by several genes as well as environment.” -Long, Jeffery C. "RACE - Exploring Our Molecular Selves." RACE - Exploring Our Molecular Selves. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.

Also, DNA sequencing allows matching organ donors with recipients in transplant programs (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). Another societal impact due to DNA sequencing is the use of it to identify paternity and other family relationships (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). In addition, DNA sequencing has allowed the study of evolution through germline mutations in lineages by studying the migration of different population groups based on maternal genetic inheritance (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). Thus, DNA sequencing has provided DNA identification and the understanding of evolution in

After examining my family’s health genome, I am able to identify strengths and weaknesses of my family’s health. For strengths, my mother’s side has little to no health conditions or concerns. Also, neither side has had a history of cancer. However, there are some weaknesses in my family health tree. My biggest concern for my immediate family, and my dad’s side is hypertension and heart disease. Even though this may just be due to lifestyle factors, I think there may be a genetic factor involved as well. This is because hypertension appears in both my aunt and dad.

I am very interested in finding out my DNA profile. However, it makes me very uneasy also. A part of me wants to know what disease processes that I am pre-dispositioned to so that I can take action to help prevent them from developing or paying closer attention to those areas by more frequent testing to help detect them in an early stage. I am in my 50’s so most of those things that are in my genetic make-up are probably getting ready to surface soon. I know that I need to take quick steps to help prevent or reverse damage that I could be causing whether that be take a medication or supplement, change my diet or lifestyle, or even have surgery. On the other hand, I don’t want to live the rest of my life in fear, worry, or depression because

Since the temperature optimum for the DNA polymerase to act is 72° C, the reaction is heated to that temperature. DNA polymerase lengthen the primers by attaching more nucleotides onto the primer in a sequential manner, using the target DNA as a template.

I will want to know about my personal genetics if I have some potential diseases for an early prevention to reduce any risk of developing of them. In my father side, my grandmother, two uncles and two cousins had died of stomach cancer. Since I was a child I suffered digestive disorder, for that, I have the fear to develop this kind of cancer. Knowing more about my personal genetic analysis allow me to take preventive measures to improve my well-being such as, what kind of medicaments or diet I can make.

As an African American woman, I have always been curious as to where in Africa my family came from. I would look at my friends, whose families come from all around the world, in envy because they have cultural traditions that they are able to celebrate. I have always felt as if I have no culture. Hearing about the different parties and celebrations that my Nigerian friends attend make me feel as if I was robbed of a vital part of my identity. One of the items on my bucket list is to get my DNA tested by Ancestry.com. Thus, if I could have a 30-minute conversation with any person in human history I would choose one of my ancestors from Africa. I feel that it is important that everyone knows their roots and where they come from. That is my reasoning

This provides the public with the facts of where their individual root genes originate from. With this data at hand one can use it. The data tells you what kind of cellular structures of food your DNA has spent hundreds or even thousands of years adapting to use as building blocks for your body. DNA dieting has the potential to eradicate and or reduce heredity based illnesses. Lactose and glucose sensitivity can be addressed by understanding your ancestral DNA. For instance, your mother and father are from opposite sides of the world. Combining their genes within your body leads to you having unique root ancestral DNA sequence of a distant ancestor. Let us assume that you inherited the genes of a Alaskan Inuit. This would dictate your cells need the fish berries and local food stuffs available to that region to function and build themselves properly. If you received your sustenance from red meat, potatoes, and milk the DNA within your body will try its best to work with what it is provided from its environment. However, your cells would make errors using unfamiliar building materials. DNA based dieting would seek to assure that even at a cellular level our bodies are getting the best and most correct nutrients required. Same ideas apply to

There are three steps in PCR, and they are; (1) Denaturing- DNA molecules are heated and separated into two single strands. (2) Annealing- A primer is used to start the process of building a new strand of DNA. (3) Extension- dNTPs are added to the reaction mixture to build a new complementary strand to the template strand. By using a primer a new strand grows in 5’ to 3’ direction and the template is 3’ to 5’ and they can be amplified by the original template.

It is used to amplify a sample of DNA, creating thousands or even millions of copies of a certain sequence of DNA. "The story of modern PCR begins in 1976 with the isolation of Taq polymerase from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus" (https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home/brands/thermo-scientific/molecular-biology/molecular-biology-learning-center/molecular-biology-resource-library/spotlight-articles/history-pcr.html).

. In the first step, denaturation, the DNA is incubated at 93-95C for 30 seconds. This breaks the hydrogen bonds between the nucleotide base pairs and separates the two strands of DNA. In the second step, annealing, the reaction is incubated at 45-65C for 45 seconds to 1 minute; the presence of excess primers allows the complementary primers to hybridize to target DNA. The third step, primer extension, is conducted at 72C from 15 seconds to 1 minute and involves DNA synthesis, in which two new daughter strands complement to the original single

The first is to denature dsDNA through heating to ~96 °C. This separates the two strands of DNA. The exact temperature to be used can be calculated with Tm = 4oC x (no. of G & C) + 2oC x (no. of A & T). Tm is the melting point of the strands and to supply the number of G, C, A, & T ‘s the primer is used.

DNA sequencing may be used to determine the sequence of individual genes, larger genetic regions (clusters of genes), full chromosomes or entire genomes. Sequencing gives the order of individual nucleotides which is present in molecules of DNA or RNA isolated from plants, animals, bacteria, or any other source of genetic information. This information is useful in various fields of biology and other sciences like medicine, forensics, etc.