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The application of molecular genetic approaches to the study of human evolution

Nature Genetics volume 33, pages 266–275 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

The past decade of advances in molecular genetic technology has heralded a new era for all evolutionary studies, but especially the science of human evolution. Data on various kinds of DNA variation in human populations have rapidly accumulated. There is increasing recognition of the importance of this variation for medicine and developmental biology and for understanding the history of our species. Haploid markers from mitochondrial DNA and the Y chromosome have proven invaluable for generating a standard model for evolution of modern humans. Conclusions from earlier research on protein polymorphisms have been generally supported by more sophisticated DNA analysis. Co-evolution of genes with language and some slowly evolving cultural traits, together with the genetic evolution of commensals and parasites that have accompanied modern humans in their expansion from Africa to the other continents, supports and supplements the standard model of genetic evolution. The advances in our understanding of the evolutionary history of humans attests to the advantages of multidisciplinary research.

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Figure 1: Summary tree of world populations.
Figure 2: Relationship between genetic and geographic distance.
Figure 3: The migration of modern Homo sapiens.
Figure 4: High resolution molecular phylogeny to study human history.
Figure 5: Language families of the world.

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Acknowledgements

We thank P. Underhill and P. Oefner for comments on early drafts of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305-5120, California, USA

    L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305-5020, California, USA

    Marcus W. Feldman

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  1. L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza
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Correspondence to Marcus W. Feldman.

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Cavalli-Sforza, L., Feldman, M. The application of molecular genetic approaches to the study of human evolution. Nat Genet 33 (Suppl 3), 266–275 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1113

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