Our Genes: Past, Present, and Future

For many people, ancestry is a key part of their identity, and DNA ancestry testing has become a multi-billion dollar industry. But what can DNA really tell us about ancestry, and what have we learned about human history and the genetic differences and similarities today between individuals and populations worldwide?

Mitochondria are small structures inside our cells that produce the energy we need to survive. Our bodies contain billions of mitochondria and many prominent diseases like cancers, neurodegenerative diseases (like Parkinson’s disease), and infertility are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria also contain a small genome which is also linked to a variety of rare diseases – many of which have no cures. Our research uses the fruit fly to study central questions relating to mitochondrial function and mitochondrial genetics in order to better understand how diseases arise.