Building a mtDNA Fabric of Our Nation

The Singapore Mitochondrial DNA Tree Project was conceived by A/P Chia Tet Fatt from NIE Biocomputational Laboratory (NBL) whereby the main mission is to collect mitochondrial DNA samples for the purpose of:

A) Education

The project presents a strong educational aspect in terms of:

• educating the public about life sciences and its relevancy in our lives via the mitochondrial DNA

• creating an awareness of the role of mitochondrial DNA and its relation with Singapore's population and the individual

• building an awareness, sharing and diffusing the knowledge of Singapore's rich cultural and historical heritage with regards to biological diversity

• promoting national education and create experiences that can connect the public to Singapore's history and heritage

B) Research

In addition to the educational element, the project comprised a research component whereby the aim is to:

• create a mitochondrial DNA tree (mtDNA fabric) of Singapore

• study and understand the biological diversity of Singapore's human population

Building the Singapore Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Tree

Common Ancestors: Every person has two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, and so forth.  At each generation, the number of ancestors doubles.  At some point in the past, we share common ancestors and this can mean that people around the world are related to varying degrees.

Constructing the Singapore mtDNA Tree:  To build this mtDNA tree, we are collecting mtDNA samples from people all over Singapore.  The mtDNA samples obtained are assigned a code that identifies the information without compromising the confidentiality of the participants.  Laboratory techniques are then applied to extract and analyze the participants' mtDNA samples.  Thereafter, the fascinating process of correlating genetic information can be done.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid):  The human DNA contains genetic information necessary for life and hereditary traits.  Genetic material can also be found inside the mitochondria, which are the energy-producing organelles found in the cytoplasm of the cell.

DNA and Genealogy:  Molecular genealogy is a relatively new method of research for complementing traditional genealogical techniques.  DNA is transmitted from one generation to the next.  Some parts are passed almost unchanged and create a connection between generations.  Such a phenomenon is useful in the study of ancestry.

Since all people inherited genetic material from their ancestors, very distantly related individuals can share portions of this information.  As such, the greater the amount of shared genetic information can indicate the closer the relative.  Thus, although the entire DNA sequence of an individual is unique to that individual, similar genetic information can be found among those that descend from common ancestors.

Mitochondrial DNA Tree Workshop

This is a 3-session workshop conducted by NBL comprising educational presentations complemented by hands-on work.  This is a wholesome programme in that it not only educates, but also takes the participants through a journey of discovery and learning.

This workshop aims to: provide insights into the basics of life sciences and bioinformatics including their relevancy to our lives build an awareness of the role played by mitochondrial DNA in our lives reveal how mitochondrial DNA connects us to the people who have positively contributed to Singapore's history, e.g. Lim Bo Seng, Tan Kah Kee, Syed Mohammed bin Ahmed Alsagoff, P Govindasamy Pillai, Benjamin Henry Sheares, etc create an awareness and share knowledge about Singapore's rich cultural and historical heritage with respect to biological diversity form experiences that can connect the public to Singapore's rich history and heritage build a simple mitochondrial DNA tree and thereafter, discover and understand the tree's meaning and relationships with respect to the participants Participants will get to experience first hand on how to extract, replicate your own DNA from cheek cells in a laboratory environment and eventually get to find out part of their mitochondrial DNA sequence. This will provide participants with an introductory insight into the basics of life sciences.

In the final session of the workshop, participants will move from the "wet" laboratory to the "dry" (computing) laboratory where they will learn about bioinformatics (basics), get to build your very own mitochondrial DNA tree and along the way, discover many interesting things about yourself and the people around you.

Session 1: The DNA in Me DNA and what has is got to do with our lives Human mitochondrial DNA Singapore story - our rich diverse ancestors and heritage Extracting mitochondrial DNA from human cheek cells Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - making copies of DNA Session 2: Understanding DNA Gel Electrophoresis - viewing and analyzing the products created from polymerase chain reaction Sequencing DNA Session 3: Building the Mitochondrial DNA Tree Bioinformatics (an introduction) Phylogeny (an introduction) Building, discovering and understanding your own Mitochondrial DNA tree Audience For anyone interested to learn more about basic life sciences (for people from secondary school students to adults). Duration 3 sessions, 2.00pm - 5pm (3 hours per session) Venue DNA Centre @ NIE and NBL   Contact Us For more information about the mtDNA tree project and workshop, please feel free to contact the following: Dr Chia Tet Fatt (Associate Professor - Molecular Genetics) Webpage: http://www.nsse.nie.edu.sg/faculty/chiatf.htm Email: tfchia@nie.edu.sg Tel: 6790 3812 Address NIE Biocomputational Lab NIE7A-B1-07 National Institute of Education 1 Nanyang Walk Singapore 637616 Tel: 6790 3990 Fax: 6896 9432   How to get here