Genographic Newsletter - Volume 3, Issue 2

If you are having trouble viewing this e-mail, please click on this link. To ensure that you receive your National Geographic e-mails, please add ngs@newsletters.nationalgeographic.com to your address book now.
The Genographic Project published two new papers in the American Journal of Human Genetics: Crusader Y Chromosomes in Lebanon The most extensive genetic study yet on the world's ancient crossroads–Lebanon–reveals the legacies left by travelers to and invaders of Lebanon, showing that the crusaders left chromosomes as well as castles. The results were obtained by a global team of Genographic scientists, led by Dr. Pierre Zalloua of Lebanese American University, Beirut; and Dr. Chris Tyler-Smith of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. View BBC's coverage of the paper: Crusaders "left genetic legacy"
The Dawn of Human Matrilineal Diversity More than 600 complete mitrochondrial DNA genomes from indigenous populations across the continent were analyzed by Genographic scientists and their collaborators. The data provided surprising insights into the early demographic history of human populations before they moved out of Africa. The extensive data analysis led by Dr. Doron Behar, Genographic Associate Researcher, based at Rambam Medical Center, Haifa; and Dr. Saharon Rosset of IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, NY and Tel Aviv University; revealed that early human populations were small and isolated from each other for many tens of thousands of years. View The Economist coverage of the paper: Before the exodus
Look inside a Cambridge, Massachusetts classroom with the Boston Globe as students learn we are all related. Photo by Romana Vysatova While in the Boston area, Dr. Spencer Wells visits Harvard University's campus to discuss the Genographic journey with students and faculty.		Celebrate Your Ancient Mothers and Fathers Looking for relevant but unique Mother's and Father's Day gifts? We are offering a discount on the purchase of multiple Genographic Kits. Consider purchasing two kits so that your family can learn about their journey and celebrate the maternal or paternal paths of their ancient past. Purchase two Genographic Kits for $95.00 each. Purchase three or more Genographic Kits for $93.00 each. Taxes and shipping will apply. (Discount shows once the order is placed in the basket.) Visit the Online Store
Photo by Eduardo Rubiano Moncada National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and Genographic Project Director Dr. Spencer Wells addressed the Committee for Teaching About the United Nations (CTAUN) on February 1, 2008. Wells explained how the concepts inherent in the Genographic Project teach us that despite our diverse appearances, we are more alike than we are different. CTAUN invited Dr. Wells to speak as its keynote speaker at the tenth annual "Teaching and Learning in an Interdependent World." This year's program focused on understanding our interdependence in relation to environmental and cultural issues. "The importance of the Genographic Project from an educator's standpoint is tremendous. We, as educators, need to find ways to develop an understanding of how interconnected we as a human family are. Today's presentation illustrated in a tangible and very teachable way just how close we all are. There are so many ways to use and bring this valuable message to our students on any academic level. The feedback from the 478 educators who attended the Committee on Teaching About the United Nations conference overwhelmingly brings to focus the enthusiasm and desire to utilize the concepts inherent in the Genographic Project." —Narin Stassis, First Vice Chair, CTAUN Visit the Genographic Project Educator Outreach Community to see how you can integrate Genographic into your classroom.
Keep your Genographic Public Participation Kit on your bookshelf so you can easily access your GPID, the ten digit alphanumeric code that identifies your DNA results on our website. Your initial results are based on the current science and research of the project. With our ongoing field research and the large number of participants in our study, our results become more detailed about many current haplogroups and sub-clades. This is an ongoing experience, and we encourage you to visit the Genographic website on a regular basis to learn of developments related to the overall project and possible refinements to your own specific haplogroup story.		Where can I learn about haplogroups other than my own? Visit the Atlas of the Human Journey on the Genographic website to learn about other genetic markers in addition to your own. Each genetic marker is accompanied by a map to demonstrate the geographic movement of each marker. View the bigger picture of which other markers may have been in contact with your haplogroup thousands of years ago. See more Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Spencer Wells and Dr. Li Jin, Genographic PI in E Asia, using AB equipment in the Fudan University lab. Photo by Alexander Moen. APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS Applied Biosystems, a leading global provider of life-science technologies, is a supporting sponsor of the Genographic Project. The company brings life science innovation to the project, including development of the technologies that enabled the historic sequencing of the human genome. Each of the ten participating global research centers uses AB equipment and services in their laboratories. Since working with the Project, AB has helped National Geographic equip the regional laboratories with a complete work flow for advanced genetic analysis consisting of instruments, reagents, and software, as well as provide training and support. As researchers bring the DNA samples collected in the field back to their laboratories for analysis, they use Applied Biosystems' genetic analysis technologies, including custom genotyping assays made specifically for the Genographic Project, to aid in the generating of one of the world's largest databases of anthropological information about the sources of humankind's diversity. "The Genographic Project is a landmark genetics study, and we are proud that our industry-leading technologies and expertise contribute to its success," said Mark Stevenson, president and chief operating officer for Applied Biosystems. The discovery and characterization of meaningful genetic variations has become a principal focus for life-science research, and this project will help explain those variations that have contributed to the rich genetic diversity of humankind." For more information about Applied Biosystems visit www.appliedbiosystems.com.
• You can submit your Genographic results to be part of our ongoing scientific research project. Once you access your results on the Genographic website, you can choose to submit your results to be part of the Genographic database by clicking "Contribute Your Results." Your results will still remain anonymous and personal to you, but we will ask some basic questions about your lineage. You can update the results questionnaire, but you must fill it out in full each time for the information to be captured.
• Every 14 days the world loses another language. The Genographic Legacy Fund, funded through the proceeds from the sale of the Genographic Public Participation Kits, supports the cultural initiatives of indigenous and traditional communities, including language-revitalization projects. • The Genographic Project celebrated its third anniversary on April 13, 2008. More than 280,000 people have participated to date.
May 2008   To unsubscribe from future National Geographic e-mails, click here.   View our privacy policy.   If you have questions about your participation in the Genographic Project, click here.   You received this editorial/commercial e-newsletter from National Geographic because the information for your account indicates that National Geographic may contact you via e-mail. To be removed from this distribution, please click on the link above or send your request to National Geographic; Attn: E-newsletter Program; 1145 17th Street N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20036-4688.   Copyright © 2008 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.