atDNA
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Genetics
| Stands for | Autosomal DNA |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
atDNA stands for Autosomal DNA, a genetics abbreviation.
DNA on the 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes, inherited from both parents and reshuffled by recombination each generation. Consumer tests use atDNA to find relatives on all sides of a family and to estimate ethnicity, reliably detecting relationships out to about second or third cousins.
Example: Her atDNA match list included 1,200 people predicted to be fourth cousins or closer.
Usage notes
Because each generation inherits about half of each parent's autosomal DNA, the amount shared with distant relatives shrinks quickly, and some third cousins share none detectable. Matches are measured in centimorgans. Investigative genetic genealogy using atDNA identified the Golden State Killer suspect in 2018.
Related abbreviations
More genetics abbreviations
- AD – Autosomal dominant
- AR – Autosomal recessive
- BAC – Bacterial artificial chromosome
- BLAST – Basic Local Alignment Search Tool
- bp – Base pair
- cDNA – Complementary DNA
- ChIP-seq – Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing
- cM – Centimorgan
- CNV – Copy-number variation
- CpG – Cytosine-phosphate-guanine (site)
- dsDNA – Double-stranded DNA
- eQTL – Expression quantitative trait locus