Molecular Genetic Variation in Pacific Populations

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Anthropologists have long been interested by the history of human populations. South Pacific populations have been a problem area in terms of developing a consensus about the migrations of people into the area - the timing of migrations, the relationships between populations, the rates of evolutionary change and the like. With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, there are potentials for new approaches to these long-standing problems. Stoneking proposes to isolate various components of the DNA from several hundred humans representing four broad areas - New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia and Samoa. Data on DNA sequences and hybridization with oligonucleotide probes will allow the comparisons of these groups at the genetic level. With the use of statistical and computer techniques, it will be possible to clarify the relationships between the groups and thus help to resolve the peopling of the South Pacific. Both mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA will be analyzed. A particularly interesting aspect will be Stoneking's analysis of variable sequences on the Y chromosome. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited through the maternal line while Y chromosomes are passed through the paternal line. As much debate exists regarding interpretations of mtDNA evolution, this data will allow especially interesting investigations.