Mitochondrial DNA Test

Collecting mitochondrial DNA samples

Collecting samples of your mitochondrial DNA is not half as difficult as it might sound. We in fact, will provide you with a home sample collection kit; Inside the kit you will have oral swabs to painlessly and quickly help you collect your buccal DNA samples. You will also find the instructions and the forms you need to fill in.

Results for an MtDNA test are ready in 20-30 working days and will be sent to you by email (you may request an additional hard copy of your mitochondrial DNA test results )

Note: We can only guarantee standard result turnaround time when testing takes place solely using oral swab samples. Using a forensic sample for your test may lead to an increase in turnaround time.

About your Mitochondrial DNA

Mitochondrial DNA is not the same as nuclear DNA. All our other DNA tests, every single one, rely on the analysis of nuclear DNA except for our MtDNA test and our maternal lineage ancestry test. Mitochondrial DNA is found in a different part of the cell known as the cell mitochondria. Nuclear DNA is found in the cell nucleus. With MtDNA testing the process of laboratory extraction is more complex. It is however, a very accurate test for siblings who wish to know whether or not they have the same mother and is in fact, classified as one of our sibling DNA testing options.

Another important characteristic of MtDNA is the way it is inherited solely down the female line. All children, irrespective of their gender, inherit their mitochondrial DNA from their mother but it is only females who can pass it on to their children.

Whilst MtDNA testing is ideal for individuals of any sex of confirm a shared maternal lineage, males wishing to confirm whether they share the same paternal line (for example, two half brothers wishing to know whether or not they have the same father) can opt for a Y chromosome test.

Note that MtDNA testing is extremely accurate due to the low mutation rate and abundance of this type of DNA in the human cell. In cases where the test shows that the test participants share the same maternal line, the exact relationship between them cannot be specified (ie. mother and daughter, grandmother and granddaughter and so forth).

Why not consult a genetic counsellor about your results?

Our genetic counsellor is ideal if you have any concerns about your DNA test results. They can understand and interpret all aspects of your results, helping you understand any technical language you do not know, answer all your questions or simply explain the results to you. Once you have ordered the service, our genetic counsellor will get in touch with you to organize the date and time of the actual call. The session discussing your results will take place via Skype.