Autosomal DNA

Autosomal DNA is a term used in genetic genealogy to describe DNA which is inherited from the autosomal chromosomes. An autosome is any of the numbered chromosomes, as opposed to the sex chromosomes. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes (the X chromosome and the Y chromosome). Autosomes are numbered roughly in relation to their sizes. That is, Chromosome 1 has approximately 2,800 genes, while chromosome 22 has approximately 750 genes. There is no established abbreviation for Autosomal DNA: auDNA (more common) and atDNA are used.

Autosomal DNA tests for genetic genealogy are provided by Family Tree DNA (the Family Finder test), 23andMe (the cousin-finding element of their test is known as Relative Finder), AncestryDNA and Genographic Project (Geno 2.0).

Maurice Gleeson provides an introduction to autosomal DNA testing and the matching process in the following video:

See also

• Admixture analyses
• Autosomal DNA statistics
• Autosomal DNA testing comparison chart
• Autosomal DNA tools
• Chromosome Browser Examples
• Identical By Descent segment
• Personal genome test proactive successes
• Phasing
• Family Finder
• Relative Finder
• Family Finder versus Relative Finder
• Family Finder versus deCODEme
• 23andMe versus deCODEme
• X chromosome testing

Further reading

• DNA testing for genealogy - getting started Part 3: autosomal DNA by CeCe Moore, Geni.com blog, 1 August 2012
• DNA testing for genealogy - getting started Part 4: ethnicity breakdowns
• Sex doesn't matter any more: an autosomal DNA primer A handout to accompany a webinar presented by Judy G Russell on 30 April 2013 for the Association of Professional Genealogists
• Choosing the right autosomal DNA test shouldn't be a random process by Dr Tim Janzen
• Exploring the Use of Autosomal DNA for Genealogical Purposes by Dr Tim Janzen
• Autosomal DNA video from SMGF
• Successfully using autosomal testing in conjunction with mitochondrial and Y-line testing to address genealogical questions An essay by Roberta Estes. The paper was originally written for people searching both genealogically and genetically for their Native American ancestors and heritage, but the techniques described will also apply to those searching for any minority heritage.
• Autosomal DNA by Angela J. Cone
• Ask a geneticist by Dr. Erin Cline Davis, a science writer at 23andMe
• DNA Dilemma: Should I Take a Genetic Test? A week-long series of articles by Newsweek reporter Mary Carmichael with views and comments from a wide range of contributors including some ISOGG members
• The atDNA gamble: playing the odds by Judy G. Russell
• Non-genetic relatives in a DNA database by Jim Owston, The Lineal Arboretum blog, 26 May 2013

This image is taken from the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms and is reproduced courtesy of the National Human Genome Research Institute.

This article uses material in the public domain from the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms and is reproduced courtesy of the National Human Genome Research Institute.