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The Genetic Diversity of East Africa: Focus on Tanzania  
   
While our understanding of human genetic variation has improved dramatically over the past couple of decades, several world regions remain understudied. East Africa is particularly relevant in terms of human evolutionary studies because of the deep fossil record, and the molecular evidence indicating that modern humans originated in Africa. Very few populations in East Africa, however, have been studied with respect to genetic variation. In July of 1998 Dr. Mountain initiated a project investigating the patterns of genetic variation among four linguistic groups of Tanzania, collecting cheek-cell samples from over 130 individuals. Members of the research group have typed these samples for a set of Y chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms and a set of Y short tandem repeat polymorphisms. We have also generated mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region sequences for each of these samples, and tested for the presence of several mtDNA restriction sites. Through phylogenetic and population genetic analyses we have discovered a lack of relationship between linguistic and genetic features of click-speaking peoples.  
   
We are currently collaborating with Dr. Sarah Tishkoff of the University of Maryland. Dr. Tishkoff and her research team have recently collected over 700 additional DNA samples. There is a great deal of opportunity for comparing genetic variation in East Africa with linguistic, cultural, and demographic data. Given the relatively limited recorded history of East Africa, an interdisciplinary approach is essential. We anticipate continuing this project for several years, involving undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.  
   
For Further Study  
   
 
   
   
         
   
© 2003 Joanna Mountain. All Rights Reserved.
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