Mitochondrial DNA Testing

Trace your maternal lineage with a mitochondrial DNA test

Curious about your maternal ancestry? There’s no better way to trace it than mitochondrial DNA. At DNA Solutions, we offer specialised mitochondrial DNA testing to help you discover your maternal lineage and confirm biological relationships across generations, exclusively through the maternal line.

Our mitochondrial DNA testing is an essential tool for those seeking to understand deep maternal connections without the need for paternal DNA. This service is particularly useful in several contexts, including confirming the maternal relationship between siblings or cousins when their mother’s DNA is not available.

What is mitochondrial DNA?

Mitochondrial DNA is very specific DNA inside your cells that is only passed from a mother to a child. So, by using Mitochondrial DNA or MitoDNA for short, we can analyse specific family relationships along the maternal line.

Some examples where this mitochondrial DNA testing is useful include:

Testing 2 or more sisters to see if they have the same mother (without father)

Testing 2 or more brothers to see if they have the same mother (without father)​

Testing Cousins

• If we want to see if two people are cousins through the maternal line (i.e., if mothers were sisters), but we don’t have DNA from their mother, mitochondrial DNA testing is a powerful way to prove or disprove that relationship.

Why choose our mitochondrial DNA testing service?

✓ Highly specific analysis: Mitochondrial DNA is very specific DNA inside your cells that is only passed from mother to child. Testing the sequence of mitochondrial DNA in siblings will show if they are biologically related via the maternal line.

✓ Broad application: Our mitochondrial DNA testing is versatile, and ideal for confirming maternal relationships in various family scenarios, particularly when direct maternal DNA is unavailable.

✓ Advanced technology and experience: Since 1997, DNA Solutions has been a leader in mitochondrial DNA testing, employing cutting-edge technology to deliver precise and dependable results. Our extensive experience ensures that every analysis meets the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.

Schedule an appointment for mitochondrial DNA testing today

Uncover the secrets of your maternal ancestry and confirm family relationships with certainty through our mitochondrial DNA testing. Whether you’re testing for peace of mind or specific legal reasons, DNA Solutions is equipped to provide fast, accurate and confidential results.

Contact us today to learn more about how this powerful tool can assist you in exploring your maternal lineage and resolving familial queries.

Curious to learn more? Read about mitochondrial DNA and why we test it below.

Technical Information about Mitochondrial DNA Testing

Human cells contain two types of DNA that are crucial for genetic testing:

1. Nuclear DNA: Nuclear DNA is found in the nucleus and contains all the genes that make up who we are. Nuclear DNA is the type of DNA that police use to profile a person, and what DNA labs use to perform a paternity test.
2. Mitochondrial DNA: Mitochondrial DNA is a tiny circle of DNA that is found inside small cell packets called Mitochondria. Mitochondria, known as the “powerhouse of the cell” are used to create energy for the cells.

Mitochondrial DNA testing provides insights into maternal lineage due to its unique inheritance pattern. Sperm cells have mitochondria in the tail of the sperm and not in the head of the sperm. When the sperm fertilises an egg, only the sperm head enters the egg, and the tail is dropped off. As a result, children inherit their mitochondrial DNA solely from their mothers. Mitochondrial DNA testing can determine if siblings are biologically related through their maternal line, providing a clear view of maternal ancestry.