Relative Genetics Announces Advanced Maternal Lineage DNA Testing Services

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2006--

Expanded and Enhanced Testing Services Offer Most Complete Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing Results Commercially Available, and Significantly Improve Accuracy of Maternal Lineage Matches

“We have received many requests for the haplogroup predictor, as many individuals are expressing interest in both their recent and deep ancestral origins.”

Relative Genetics, the leading provider of DNA testing services for individuals and families researching ancestry, today announced the availability of enhanced mitochondrial DNA testing services that dramatically improve the accuracy and reach of maternal lineage information.

Mitochondrial DNA is passed exclusively from mothers to their children, providing a dependable way to trace maternal ancestries for both men and women. The most accurate way to distinguish the genetic profile of one individual's maternal lineage from another's and to identify deep ancestral origins is through analysis of genetic sequences from three "hypervariable" regions of the mitochondrial DNA. The new Relative Genetics mitochondrial DNA testing includes analysis of these three regions, adding great detail and precision to the results. Relative Genetics already offers the industry's leading Y-chromosome DNA testing services for paternal lineage research.

In addition, Relative Genetics has enhanced its mitochondrial DNA sequencing and Y-chromosome genotyping services by including a haplogroup predictor with each test, at no extra cost. This analysis uses the results of DNA tests -- mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosome or both -- to assign individuals to a haplogroup that can identify their deep ancestral origins and may detect geographic origins going back tens of thousands of years.

"We expect our new 'high resolution' mitochondrial DNA testing service to be popular with both men and women interested in using mitochondrial DNA to resolve genealogical questions or find genetic cousins," said Doug Fogg, COO of Relative Genetics. "We have received many requests for the haplogroup predictor, as many individuals are expressing interest in both their recent and deep ancestral origins."

The release of the Relative Genetics enhanced mitochondrial DNA maternal line analysis service coincides with the release of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF) mitochondrial DNA database. Nonprofit SMGF is building the world's largest searchable databases of genetic profiles correlated with genealogical records. The new Relative Genetics testing is designed to optimize the utility of the SMGF databases. A hyperlink from the Relative Genetics Web site enables users to directly search the SMGF mitochondrial DNA database. In addition, participants in the SMGF databases receive a voucher for deeply discounted DNA testing from Relative Genetics. Details are available at www.relativegenetics.com or at www.smgf.org.

About Relative Genetics

Since 2001, Relative Genetics (www.relativegenetics.com) provides genetic testing solutions that help genealogists build the branches of their family trees. The company's comprehensive testing services allow individuals, genealogists and family organizations around the world to establish relationships and identity through DNA testing, genetic interpretation and genealogical analysis. Relative Genetics is distinguished by its industry-leading turnaround time and its skilled staff of molecular scientists and genetic genealogists. In collaboration with its affiliated laboratory, Sorenson Genomics, Relative Genetics offers the most complete specialized genetic testing capabilities available under one roof for paternal and maternal line identification and extended family analysis.