Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

FamilyTreeDNA Unveils Groundbreaking mtDNA Tree of Humankind, Expanding Maternal Lineage Mapping by Over 35,000 Branches


News provided by

FamilyTreeDNA

Mar 03, 2025, 08:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

FamilyTreeDNA
FamilyTreeDNA

Historic Update Revolutionizes the Study of Human Origins Offering Users Unprecedented Precision in Tracing Maternal Ancestry While Uncovering Hidden Migration Patterns

HOUSTON, March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- FamilyTreeDNA, a pioneer in genetic genealogy, today announces the release of its new mtDNA Tree of Humankind, the most significant update to the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup tree in almost ten years. This groundbreaking enhancement, accompanied by upgraded mtDNA reports, offers users deeper insights into their maternal line ancestry than ever before, unlocking new findings that were previously out of reach.

What is mtDNA and Why Does It Matter?

"This tremendous expansion in the mtDNA tree's resolution allows us to write new chapters in the story of human migration and settlement." - Dave Vance, General Manager, FamilyTreeDNA

Post this

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is passed exclusively from mother to child - to both sons and daughters - making it a powerful tool for tracing direct matrilineal ancestry. While standard autosomal DNA tests can help locate relatives across the entire family tree within the past five to seven generations, mtDNA testing offers something uniquely different - the ability to trace the direct maternal line back thousands of years. This means that regardless of gender, individuals can use mtDNA testing to explore their mother's line deep into the past. Unlike traditional genealogy records, which may be incomplete or inaccurate, mtDNA testing allows users to uncover deep ancestral connections and track maternal line migration patterns in ways that historical documents and standard DNA tests alone cannot reveal.

A Historic Leap Forward in Maternal Lineage Analysis

The new mtDNA Tree of Humankind represents an unprecedented expansion of human maternal lineage mapping. While the previous industry standard, PhyloTree, contained approximately 5,400 haplogroups (distinct maternal lineage branches) as of 2016, FamilyTreeDNA's new tree adds over 35,000 new branches, with more discoveries on the horizon. This nearly eightfold increase in resolution marks a transformative moment in genetic genealogy and anthropological research, enabled by FamilyTreeDNA's unique position as the only direct-to-consumer DNA testing service offering full mitochondrial sequencing.

A More Advanced Maternal Lineage Analysis

Built from hundreds of thousands of mitochondrial sequences contributed by FamilyTreeDNA customers, Genographic Project testers, and public scientific datasets, this comprehensive update improves maternal haplogroup assignments, offering users more precise placement on the family tree. This enhanced precision means users can now identify specific maternal lineage connections that were previously impossible to detect. "This landmark update to our mtDNA tree demonstrates FamilyTreeDNA's ongoing commitment to advancing genetic genealogy," said Clayton Conder, Vice President of Marketing at FamilyTreeDNA. "By incorporating over 35,000 new branches, we're providing our customers with unprecedented precision in tracking their maternal heritage, helping them discover connections and migration stories that were previously hidden in their DNA."

Enhanced mtDNA Discover Reports

To complement the updated tree, FamilyTreeDNA has revolutionized its mtDNA reports with a suite of powerful new features. Users can now explore their maternal heritage through richly detailed migration maps that trace their ancestral journeys across time and geography. The enhanced reports reveal potential connections to historical figures through maternal lineages and offer fascinating comparisons with ancient DNA from archaeological sites. Users can also gain unique insights into their haplogroup's global distribution, understanding how their maternal line fits into the broader story of human migration.

A New Era for mtDNA Research

The launch of this updated tree and improved Discover reports marks a pivotal moment in the understanding of human maternal lineages. This unprecedented level of detail enables researchers to identify previously unknown migration patterns, such as early human movement between continents and the formation of isolated population groups.

"This tremendous expansion in the mtDNA tree's resolution allows us to write new chapters in the story of human migration and settlement," said Dave Vance, General Manager at FamilyTreeDNA. "Tracing maternal lines can also be a real challenge for genealogists due to limited records, so the expanded tree and new tools will help family historians no matter what era of their ancestry they are exploring."

Why This Matters

This breakthrough in maternal DNA analysis has far-reaching implications for both individuals and researchers. For family historians, it means more precise answers about their maternal ancestry and connections with their closest relatives. For anthropologists and population geneticists, it provides fresh insight into human migration patterns and population dynamics throughout history. The enhanced resolution of the new tree could help identify previously unknown migration routes, ancient population movements, and connections between modern populations and their ancestors.

Getting Started

The mtFull Sequence test, a comprehensive maternal lineage DNA test available for $159, requires just a simple cheek swab. Current FamilyTreeDNA users can access their updated haplogroup assignments and enhanced reports immediately through their account dashboard. To learn more about maternal ancestral journeys and the new mtDNA Tree of Humankind and mtDNA Discover reports, please visit www.familytreedna.com.

About Gene by Gene / FamilyTreeDNA: Gene by Gene, a CLIA/CAP-certified laboratory, is dedicated to providing high-quality genetic testing services. With a focus on innovation and precision, Gene by Gene offers a comprehensive range of genomic solutions to support healthcare providers, researchers, and patients worldwide.

Media Contact

Orca Communications USA, FamilyTreeDNA, 1 480-422-0034, [email protected], www.ftdna.com

SOURCE FamilyTreeDNA

Modal title

FamilyTreeDNA Test Kit
FamilyTreeDNA Test Kit
Haplogroup K1a10 is an example of the expanded detail in the updated mtDNA Tree of Humankind
Haplogroup K1a10 is an example of the expanded detail in the updated mtDNA Tree of Humankind
FamilyTreeDNA Test Kit Haplogroup K1a10 is an example of the expanded detail in the updated mtDNA Tree of Humankind

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.