Y Chromosome STR Genotyping

DNA profiling technologies >> Technological Solution >>

A DNA tracing technology based on STRs is focused only on the Y chromosome. Human Y chromosome is 60 million bp long and through the action of its sex determining regions defines the male sex. The mode of inheritance of the Y chromosome is such that it is passed from father to son with minimal modifications. Therefore, assuming no mutations have occurred, all males from the same lineage will have almost the same Y chromosome profile.

Y-STR testing is advantageous because it is a male specific test that essentially ignores any female DNA present in the sample. Indeed, sometimes the ratio of female to male DNA is large enough to mask the male component when using conventional nuclear DNA procedures.