Genealogy Testing Service Relies on High-Throughput Microarray Technology

An advanced genotyping system is the basis for a new genealogic testing service that can match a wide range of family relationships within five generations.

Family Tree DNA (Houston, TX, USA), the first company to develop the commercial application of DNA testing for genealogical purposes, has launched a new genotyping service (The Family Finder) that will allow individuals, regardless of gender, to explore linkages to grandparents, aunts and uncles, half siblings, and first, second, third, and fourth cousins.

The test is based on Affymetrix (Santa Clara, CA, USA) Axiom genotyping technology and the associated GeneTitan analytical system. With the Axiom test, total genomic DNA (200 ng) is amplified and randomly fragmented into 25-125 base pair fragments. These fragments are purified, resuspended, and hybridized to Axiom Genome-wide human array plates. Following hybridization, the bound target is washed under stringent conditions to remove nonspecific background to minimize background noise caused by random ligation events. Each polymorphic nucleotide is queried via a multicolor ligation event carried out on the array surface. After ligation, the arrays are stained and imaged on the GeneTitan Instrument. The imaging device in the GeneTitan Instrument uses an external, high-intensity xenon lamp and dual excitation and emission filters to capture images from array plates.

The Family Finder test analyzes the DNA of two individuals using Axiom array plates containing nearly 570,000 genetic markers, including many that are relevant to genealogy. The assay system utilizes the complete Axiom genotyping solution, which includes array plates, complete reagent kits, and an automated workflow that enables scientists to process more than 760 samples per week. Family Tree DNA then analyzes the resulting data with internally developed algorithms to determine the closeness of the relationship.

"This is the most exciting genetic genealogy breakthrough since 2000, when Family Tree DNA launched its Y-DNA test to uncover relatives in the direct paternal line,” said Bennett Greenspan, CEO of Family Tree DNA. "The comprehensive, genome-wide coverage of Axiom Arrays enables us to offer consumers the most advanced genealogical test available at a price that is attractive to our customers. In addition, the automated GeneTitan system allows us to process hundreds of samples at a time with minimal hands-on time for maximum efficiency.”

"The Family Finder test represents a huge step forward for the direct-to-consumer genetic genealogy market and the application of microarray technology,” said Kevin King, CEO of Affymetrix. "Now anyone can utilize the power of the Axiom genotyping solution and the GeneTitan System to find and connect with a broader range of family members than ever before.”

Related Links:
Family Tree DNA
Affymetrix