Mischievous chromosomes of the mother

2002/06/12 Orobengoa, Olatz - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Genetika

In the Icelandic company ofCODE genetics, the genomes of 869 people from 146 in the family have been taken, and the changes in the genome from parent to child have been analyzed. It seems that in the recombination of the genome there is a greater confusion than expected.

In the process of forming gametes (eggs and sperm), the genome of these cells is divided in half. Shortly before half a recombination process occurs between genome chromosomes. By recombination, genes between chromosomes are mixed into new gene combinations. Thus, the part of the genome that the mother will give to her offspring will not be exactly the same as it has.

Scientists know that in the chromosomes that come from their mother the genes are mixed 60% more than in those of their father. Now, with studies by the company ofCODE genetics, it has been discovered that in all mothers genes do not mix in the same way. Some mothers' egg genome is usually much more mixed than other mothers. This may explain the increased sensitivity of some families to genetic diseases.