Human mitochondrial genetics

matrilineal most recent common ancestor of all living humans

dominant model of the geographic origin and early migration of anatomically modern humans, according to which Homo sapiens developed in the Horn of Africa 300–200 kya and dispersed to the rest of the world in multiple events

study of the human mitochondrial genome

reference sequence of the human mitochondrial DNA

Nullomers are short sequences of DNA that do not occur in the genome of a species (for example, humans), even though they are theoretically possible. Nullomers must be under selective pressure - for example, they may be toxic to the cell. Some nullomers have been shown to be useful to treat leukemia, breast, and prostate cancer. They are not useful in healthy cells because normal cells adapt and become immune to them. Nullomers are also being developed for use as DNA tags to prevent cross contamination when analyzing crime scene material.