Y-DNA & Citizen Science ... and a bit of Forensic Genealogy (Mark Jobling)

Studies of Y-chromosome variation started in the mid-1980s as an obscure academic curiosity. In the intervening decades, research into the variations has transformed our knowledge of surnames and increasingly of past populations around the world.

The first Y-SNPs were discovered in the 1990s, and by 2008 about 600 were described. In the last decade, however, the technological revolution of massively parallel sequencing has led to a hundred-fold explosion of Y-SNPs, many of which have become known through the activities of ‘citizen scientists’ undertaking analysis of their own Y chromosomes via direct-to-consumer companies. The rich data allows the association of SNP-haplogroups with surnames, and informs us about male population histories. Citizen scientists are also arising in new regions of the world currently understudied by academics, thus broadening our understanding of past population dynamics in non-European contexts.

Mark Jobling studied Biochemistry and completed a DPhil in Genetics at the University of Oxford. He moved to the University of Leicester in 1992 where he has been supported by Wellcome Trust fellowships and is now a Professor. His group uses human genetic diversity to investigate processes of colonisation, migration and admixture, and (with a focus on the Y chromosome) to study mutation processes. He also applies Y-chromosomal markers to understanding the relationships between Y types and patrilineal surnames, and in forensic analysis.

This lecture was presented at Family Tree Live (FTL), London, 26-27  April 2019. Please note that these FTL videos are copyrighted to the presenter and should only be used for personal study. They are not to be used for any other purpose without the presenter's express permission. Also, please note that because this is a rapidly advancing field, the content may quickly become outdated.


The FTL lectures were sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA (at www.ftdna.com) and organised by Debbie Kennett, a volunteer from ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy at www.isogg.org). ISOGG volunteers provided free DNA advice and support for members of the public at the conference.