How genetics helped crack a Sepoy Mutiny era mystery

How genetics helped crack a Sepoy Mutiny era mystery

Subject: Science & Tech

Section: Biotechnology

Context- Scientists tap DNA tech to ascertain the origin of the martyred soldiers.

Concept-

• The scientists used mitochondrial DNA and stable isotope analysis to ascertain the origin of the martyrs.

About Mitochondrial DNA:

• The mtDNA is composed of a double-stranded, circular DNA molecule, which is arranged into a single chromosome.
• Mitochondrial DNAs are molecules with high copy number, and a higher evolutionary importance compared to nuclear DNA.
• They have specific uniparental inheritance only from mothers to their child, which is useful for tracing matrilineal kinship in many generations.

About Mitochondrial DNA Analysis:

• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis is used by forensic scientists when samples such as teeth, bones, and hairs without a follicle (root) are collected from crime scenes or disaster areas.
• MtDNA is also used when nuclear DNA is present in very low quantities or is highly degraded and does not provide a full STR profile.
• Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited.
• The high sensitivity of mtDNA analysis allows forensic scientists to obtain information from old items of evidence associated with cold cases and small pieces of evidence containing little biological material.