Analytical tech maps human origin

Scientists from around the world gathered in SA yesterday to discuss the progress of the National Geographic Society`s Genographic project, which aims to trace the migratory history of humans.

The National Geographic Society (NGS) and IBM`s computational biology centre (CBC) are spending five years collecting and studying DNA samples of about 400 000 populations across the world by 2010, the NGS revealed at a press briefing.

The CBC will use life science-oriented data mining tools and algorithms, computational biology, and unstructured information mining to bear on the data provided from both the field teams and the general public, according to an IBM statement.

"The DNA samples to be collected are of both indigenous and public populations," said IBM CBC senior manager Ajay Royyuru. Indigenous populations are the original inhabitants of a specific region, whose social and cultural conditions distinguish them from the public community.

"The Genographic project is different from other related researches, in that it focuses on collecting data across world, rather than in a specific geographical area," said Royyuru.

Using blade servers running Linux and DB2 to store the collected data centrally, scientists worldwide will be able to access the information, he said.

Researchers go to certain indigenous communities and gather data, which includes taking a DNA sample of the participating person, Royyuru explained. The data is then uploaded in the National Geographic database for analysis.

The project is expected to reveal details about global human migratory history, especially connections and differences that make up the human species, and the genetic roots of the modern human, the NGS said.

Terry Garcia, executive VP for missions for the NGS, said it has developed the Genographic legacy fund that has thus far generated about $2 million from the sales of a toolkit used to take DNA samples.

"The participants get a random ID number which is provided on the DNA toolkit," said Royyuru. "The proceeds from the toolkits go back to the community and future field research."

Garcia said the toolkit is free for indigenous populations and the public can purchase the participation kit for a $100.

"The results are kept confidential and will be included in the National Geographic database," said Garcia.