dirkduck

Hey everyone. I read (or saw) somewhere that some Spanish scientists belive they have found part of Columbus's remains, and are performaing DNA tests to see if it really is him. Anyways (excuse my lack-of-knowledge here ), when they do a DNA test, what do they compare the DNA to? If they just have the remains, what is there to check if its a "match" and whatnot? In other words, how do DNA tests work? Thanks.

missus_gumby

I have no knowledge on DNA testing, but I would guess that those wishing to confirm the identity of some Columbus DNA would check it against the DNA of someone who claimed to be one of his descendants.

However, I think this one would get a better response in the Science etc., forum.

Martin (moderator)

Lobstrosity

Yeah, they would probably compare the DNA to as many of his known descendants as possible, though I'm not sure how reliable the results will be.

dirkduck

Thanks for the replys! (Didnt realize there was a Science forum, sorry about that.)

Wounded King

Its actually a lot simpler than the way Missus Gumby and Lobstrosity suggest, the researchers have the remains of his son. All they need to do is compare the DNA from the two candidate skeletons with that from his sons remains.

Lobstrosity

Well that's convenient.

Gurdur

Of course let's hope it was his son, if you know what I mean, otherwise a false negative ?

After all, it's a wise child who knows his own father, and there was all that time at sea........

ps418

If, as Wounded King says, there is DNA from Columbus' son available, the best test would be comparing Y chromosome polymorphisms, which are often used in paternity tests. Basically, you'd look at a bunch of polymorphism that are known to vary greatly from person to person (for instance, what are known as short tandem repeats), and see how close of a match exists between father and son. The results would be a statistical statement like "The probability is greater than 99.9% that this person A is/is not related by paternity to person B."

Patrick