The Discovery of the “Skipping Generations” Phenomenon

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: The demanding need to discover someone’s identity is not possible with the nuclear DNA especially when the traces are highly degraded, since the nuclear DNA is destroyed in these conditions. Only the mitochondrial DNA that is inherited maternally can survive in these compromised conditions. The purpose of this study is to find a genetic commonality between UAE nationals. Methodology and Theoretical Orientation: 150 buccal swabs of unrelated UAE female students (approved by the UAE ID) of Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology were collected and kept at room temperature for a period of three months or longer; to destroy the nuclear DNA, so only the mtDNA is present. mtDNA testing was performed on these buccal swabs, and it’s consisting of DNA Extraction, Real-Time quantitative PCR, Cycle sequencing and Capillary electrophoresis. The ABI PRISM®310 Genetic Analyzer capillary autosequencer [ABI PRISM® SeqScape® Soft-ware Version 2.6] was used to generate the mitochondrial DNA profiles. Findings: From these haplotype data, a total of 229 polymorphisms were observed carefully. 106 different polymorphisms were identified out of them, and classified into unique and common polymorphisms. Interestingly, two individuals from the study subjects lacked unique polymorphisms. Conclusion and Significance: It’s impossible for anyone to preserve their mtDNA from their great ancestors till now. The discovery of the remains of the Romanov family back in 1991 concluded that the comparison of mtDNA that is more than three generations old is more likely to get at least one mutation in the current generation. Therefore, if a vertical study is done on those two individuals with their older generations, definitely they will have unique polymorphisms compared to their older generations. Those two individuals are the effect of “Skipping Generations” phenomenon, the term that I have invented to solve the mystery of having two individuals with no unique polymorphisms.