What is Genebase?

Genebase.com is the world’s first online personal genomics DNA database built on a Web 2.0 platform.  Since 2005, Genebase has been connecting Users from around the world through DNA and now has a membership of over 675,000 Users from around the world.  Using personal genomics, Users can find out more about their past and learn more about their present and future. 

Genebase offers a wide panel of personal genomics assays which allows people to use DNA to find out more about themselves.  One of Genebase’s best known products, “The DNA Ancestry Project” is a branch of personal genomics which allows Users to look into their past using their own DNA ancestral markers.  The DNA Ancestry Project is a Online CD ROM software kit which is available in leading software retailers worldwide.  Using the The DNA Ancestry Project, Users can conduct genetic genealogy research through User-to-User connections and User-to-Laboratory data source connections provided in Genebase.

Once participants obtain their DNA markers through Genebase, participation in many of the search and analysis features of the project is free.  Genebase aims to connect Users with new developments in personal genomics and represents the first database in the world to provide a direct link from Users to the data from up-to-date scientific studies. 

Until now, the information and data from major scientific breakthroughs from universities and research institutions are well kept secrets and usually only appear in top scientific journals and are not readily accessible to the general public.  Genebase publishes news headlines from top scientific discoveries as they happen, and immediately places the DNA data from such studies into the Genebase archaeology database, allowing the data to become available for searching and comparison by project members. Finding a match in the scientific databases can help users to make new discoveries and family connections across many generations. 

Genebase also contains a “deep ancestry” database (for tracing lineage back tens of thousands of years) as well as an “indigenous DNA” database (for Users to discover which indigenous populations in the world most closely matches their own DNA. 

The Genebase User database also allows Users to network with people around the world using their DNA and continues to grow as membership grows.

The Genebase network is based on unique genetic linkages between family members, made possible by the Genebase web 2.0 family tree, the world’s first family tree social network.  The Genebase family tree feature automatically links various family lineages together to facilitate collaborative studies between different family members to uncover the roots of different lines of the family tree and discover the inheritance of genetic traits. 

Genebase contains the following database types:

• Y-DNA STR Database - For tracing surnames and ancestry on the paternal line.
• Y-DNA SNP Database - For tracing deep ancestry on the paternal line.
• mtDNA mutation/SNP Database - For tracing ancestry on the maternal line.
• mtDNA sequence Database - For full mtDNA analysis and comparisons.
• Autosomal STR Database - For tracing lost family, family reunifications
• Indigenous DNA database - For tracing ancestry to native population groups around the world.
• Archaeology Database - For comparisons with scientific studies from around the world.

User-to-User Comparisons

The Genebase database facilitates the comparison of data between active users in the system to allow users to link up to other users and the system to look for matches, discover connections and looks for geographical or ethnic correlations.

User-to-Scientific Studies Analysis

This novel Genebase feature allows users to connect their data to findings from the latest scientific studies and research data. As new findings emerge from various fields of study, the database will facilitate the interaction of users with the findings of the study so that users can see how the studies can shed light on their own data.

Who can join?

Genebase is absolutely free, and anyone can join.  To participate in DNA features, Users must first have their DNA markers tested at Genebase.  Once the results are available, Users will automatically have free access to wide variety of DNA search and analysis tools at Genebase. 

History of the DNA Ancestry Project

1998 - Traditional DNA testing methods
Genetrack Biolabs, Genebase’s DNA lab, is one of North America’s leading legal DNA testing facilities.  The laboratory processed Autosomal STR, Y-DNA and mtDNA testing and released results documents directly to clients.

2005 - Genebase Database Launched
Clients required a method to compare their DNA results with other clients.  Genebase launches the world’s first personal genomics DNA social networking site:  a Web 2.0 platform that allows DNA testing recipients to interact with each other and to compare and network using DNA data.  Genebase launches the world’s first web 2.0 family tree.

August 2006 - Genebase 2.0 version developed
The second version of Genebase was developed to accommodate a larger panel of Y-DNA SNPs, and mtDNA data. The official launch of version 2.0 was held back pending completion of the GEDCOM feature.  Genebase membership reaches over 200,000. 

May 2007 - Genebase 2.0 version launched
The newest version of Genebase is GEDCOM compatible and the database accommodates Y-DNA and mtDNA data, SNPs and full sequences.

March 2008 - Genebase has over 675,000 active Users from around the world and is the world’s largest personal genomics DNA social networking site.

Y-DNA STR Database

The Y-STR database stores the allele values of over 125 genetic loci. This database is ideal for surname research and tracing ancestry on the paternal line. It is also useful for individuals searching for exact or close matches to other males who are descendents of the same paternal line.

Y-DNA SNP Database

The Y-DNA SNP database stores SNP markers and is intended for users who are interested in researching their deep ancestry and determining their haplogroup. The haplogroup can be predicted with the STR test, but the only way to confirm a haplogroup prediction is with SNP analysis.

mtDNA Mutation / SNP Database

The mtDNA mutation/SNP database records the markers in the mtDNA (a mutation/marker represents a region of the mtDNA which is different from the Cambridge Reference Sequence, CRS).

mtDNA Sequence Database

The entire length of the DNA tested is stored and can be downloaded and compared to other sequences.

Autosomal STR Database

The Autosomal STR database is a personal identity database which allows people to calculate close family relationships such as parents, grandparents, cousins, etc.  This database can also be used for adopted children looking for their biological families.  Autosomal STR can also provide broad ancestral data for an individual’s mixed ancestry.

Indigenous DNA Database

This is a proprietary database which contains the DNA type of tens of thousands of indigenous populations from around the world.  Users can compare their own DNA to this database to find out where in the world their DNA type is most frequent.

Archaeology Database

This database contains the data from the most recent scientific studies, including mummies, and other archaeological findings.  This database allows users to compare their own DNA to the latest studies to see how they fit into the picture and allows Users to experience the excitement of the growing field of DNA Archaeology.

The use of the Genebase database is free.  However, Users must have DNA data in order to use DNA search, comparison and analysis features.

What are the steps involved in participation?

Participants must have DNA markers obtained through DNA testing. Begin by obtaining a participation kit. Existing Genebase users should log into their control panel, then follow the instructions in the control panel to obtain a kit. Kits can also be ordered for friends and family members through the control panel.  The participation kit contains supplies for collecting a DNA sample from inside the mouth. The DNA sample is collected by rubbing two brushes inside the mouth against the cheek for 15 seconds. The procedure is painless. After the sample is collected, the brushes are placed into specimen envelopes and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Depending on the type of analysis, the turnaround time can range from 3 to 12 weeks. Once results are available, they are uploaded directly to the database and can be accessed through the user’s control panel. The user has control over the privacy settings of the markers. When the markers are set to “public”, the user can use them to search the database to look for matches and take part in DNA projects.