Anthropology Histories of Selected New World Populations Based on Nuclear DNA Polymorphisms

这项研究的主要目的是对新大陆人群中Alu序列的插入多态进行初步调查。研究人员实验室之前的研究表明，在许多人类群体中，大多数核RFLP是多态的。在这里，研究人员将分析第二种类型的多态作为重建人类历史的工具的效用。由于关于美洲原住民人口之间关系的丰富知识和样本的可获得性，该系统将在这一群体上进行测试。ALU序列构成了散布在核基因组中的一系列相关序列，它们能够在基因组内移动。由于一个序列基本上不可能通过独立的突变插入到完全相同的位置，因此找到相同的Alu序列插入是共同起源的推定证据。研究人员将测试这些多态作为遗传标记的实用性。此外，研究人员将通过与其他人类群体的样本进行比较，调查特定Alu多态的古老程度。

The primary objective of this research is to conduct a pilot investigation of the insertional polymorphism of Alu sequences in New World human populations. Previous research in the investigators' laboratory has shown that most nuclear RFLPs are polymorphic in many human populations. Here, the investigators will analyze the utility of a second type of polymorphism as a tool for reconstructing the history of human populations. Because of the wealth of knowledge regarding relationships between Native American populations and the availability of samples, the system will be tested on this group. Alu sequences constitute a family of related sequences scattered throughout the nuclear genome which are capable of moving within the genome. As it is essentially impossible for a sequence to insert in exactly the same position through independent mutations, finding identical Alu sequences insertions is presumptive evidence of common descent. The investigators will test the utility of these polymorphisms as genetic markers. Additionally, the researchers will investigate the antiquity of specific Alu polymorphisms by comparison with samples from other human populations.