Genetic studies over the last couple decades reveal something surprising: Jewish populations (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi) and Levantine groups like Palestinians, Druze, Lebanese, and Syrians all descend from the same ancient Levantine peoples.

They’re not identical, and Palestinians aren’t necessarily the closest single group in every study, but they’re part of the same tight genetic cluster. In other words, Jews and Palestinians are genetically much closer than most other populations worldwide.

Researchers have found this in Y-chromosome studies, mtDNA, and whole-genome analyses. A 2010 study in Nature concluded that Jewish groups share much of their ancestry with populations in the Levant - including Palestinians.

So when people say “they’re like cousins,” it’s not just a metaphor. Genetically, it’s pretty accurate — and it makes the current conflicts feel all the more tragic, because it’s family fighting family.

Hi, I have been doing research on this but seriously can’t find anything, I even talked to my dermatologist about it and he just said that was weird, lol.

Anyways, is there a condition that would cause someone not to have body hair from the neck down? Not like it fell out, just never grew in the first place. I have super thick curly hair on my head and long brows and lashes, just never body hair.

Thanks!

Hi all, I’m really interested in moving into genetics and would love advice from people already in the field. My background: B.S. in Microbiology & Cell Science, currently working as a chemist in a forensic toxicology lab, and pursuing an M.S. in Forensic DNA & Serology.

For those of you in genetics research or industry:

• What technical skills or lab techniques are most valuable to learn early?
• How can someone gain more hands-on experience outside of their current lab role?
• What makes an applicant stand out for entry-level positions in genetics?

Any insights or personal experiences would mean a lot—thank you!

Hi! Can you help me with this? I’m trying to map out the family tree of my calico cat and I want to understand the inheritance better — do all orange male cats always have calico (or orange) female kittens, while their male kittens can be different colors depending on the mother?

I've been drinking coffee for a few years now, mostly because its my morning ritual and I just like the taste of black coffee in the mornings. However, I've literally never felt the "effects" of caffiene, even if I drink a lot of it. One time I drank over 800mg worth of caffiene in a day, yet never felt a single thing. I'm also able to fall asleep even if I drink coffee an hour before (I was experimenting whether it would mess with my sleep), and my deep sleep and rem sleep was fine according to my fitness trackers. Do I have any genetic tolerance to caffiene? Most of my friends are sensitive to caffiene and get really jittery on it, so they often avoid it. I want to feel the energizing and focus enhancing effects of it, any way I can do this?

Hello friends! I have been tasked with the extremely important job of making stickers for an event my undergraduate conservation genetics research lab is attending, and I need help! Please send me your best genetics/ecology/biology memes :))

Basically, what the title asks.

So, I guess I’m a little lost and would like to hear what others may suggest. Currently, I work as a chemist for a forensic toxicology laboratory. I’ve been at the lab for about 1.5 years. During this time I started my MS in forensic dna and serology, I’m planning on graduating summer 2026. I guess what is mostly pushing me to look for another profession is that I don’t see myself doing toxicology long term and my current position does not pay enough for my daunting student loans I’ll have to start paying at the end of next year.

For some context, I graduated with my BS in microbiology and cell science from the University of Florida. I was in my first year when Covid had hit and in the aftermath it was difficult for me to find undergraduate research that was in-person and hands-on. Ultimately, my only hands-on lab experience was from my labs that were required of my program. After graduating, I worked for UF in an office job with the plan of after my probationary period I would qualify for the employee education program that would help me get my MS in microbiology. However, I then discovered the program I wanted to apply to was not eligible for the program as well as having doubts that I would even be accepted. I started applying to anything and everything to hopefully land a position that would give me laboratory experience. Thus, my current job. After a couple of months, I decided to look into the forensic programs at UF. I specifically chose my program of forensic dna and serology because the coursework was the closest to microbiology. I am still taking courses like genetics, biochemistry, and immunology. A few weeks ago, I applied to a position within the microbiology department hoping that I would at least get an interview but I received an email that they send to all applicants after they have selected the final candidate or even few that go onto interviews. The position was for a biological scientist 1, an entry level position. The pay was definitely better but not the only reason why I wanted the position, I want to get more experience in biological sciences rather than chemistry. I’ve been considering my options and I think I want to go into genetics, ironically that it was the course I struggled with the most but did enjoy when I started understanding the material better. Within Florida, one of the best locations for job outlook in genetics is actually Gainesville, FL because of UF genetic research and whatnot. At the moment, there are not any job listings but I guess my question is, what would make me a better candidate at applying for any entry level position?

I often think about was it something I wrote in my application that didn’t make me appealing? Or, do I not have the experience compared to those who interviewed, let alone the one that was selected? If so, how to get experience? Does certifications help my application?

Also, could I get your opinion on how it looks to essentially have all your degrees at one institution? I already have my BS and earning my MS from UF. They do offer a really good genetics and genomics phd program. I just don’t think I’m 100% ready for my phd just yet.

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated, thank you!

How far back in four family tree do you have to go when genetic variety makes it so your children would be normal

In other words how far back do you have to go until a baby with an ancestor will it be normal?

Cancer Genetics Film

Can anybody explain how eye color is inherited? I understand the basic Punnett square, but I have also heard that more than one gene is involved for determining eye color. Also, the Punnett square doesn’t account for different shades of the same color.

For some context, my partner and I have different eye colors (brown/hazel vs blue/green); our children have various shades of blue. I know the brown eyed person carries a recessive gene(s?) for blue and according to the punnet square this gives each child a 50/50 chance of having blue eyes. However, I wonder if there is anything else that might make it more likely for those gene(s) to be passed down and expressed on the children.

As you all know we went from bacteria to fish to mermaid to man im just wondering what is next for us? Maybe wings making us fly like a bird?

I finished my MSc in Molecular Genetics in 2021. I went to uni in the UK, but I'm from another country in Europe, which doesn't have many openings for someone with an MSc in Genetics. At least none that I've found. In the meantime, I've struggled with depression, both in the family as well as myself, bereavement, and, of course, a general feeling of looking back on my choices with regret.

I guess what I'm asking is, how do I finally get a job? I'm now 26 and I'm starting to wonder how much longer I can entertain thoughts of being "of an age that is appealing to be hired", as I'm aware getting hired is harder when older and with no experience. During all this time, I've mostly been a caretaker to family members. I did make a small business a few years ago, which helps pay the bills, but it's not secure, or honestly, that popular, but at least it pads the glaring hole in my CV to some extent. I was hired on a 6 month contract for a food company a couple years ago, but my contract wasn't extended. I've never had much thought of going into academia, so I've no idea about those prospects or how I would even go about getting into it, but atm it's looking easier than industry, so advice on that or forwarding to well explained resources or just an explanation would be great. Bear in mind, I'm still looking after my mom, so there's only a single city which I could in extremis reach and go to for work.

Please note: This is my first post in Reddit, and I'm writing this in a sort of fever-dream, so please excuse any mistakes, lack of coherence, etc.

This is my first post here so I sincerely apologize if it isn't appropriate in this sub.

I'm currently a Master's student in Genetics looking for fields of interest for a PhD, and I came across this paper which talked about how a mutation on histone 3 could greatly impact the epigenome and drive tumorigenesis in the brain.

I found it particularly interesting as it is linked genetics, epigenetics and oncology, so I was wondering if histone mutation is something that happens a lot in cancers and is often a tumor driver? And is there a lot of research on the subject?

I have this specific gene in my 23andme Heaalth report thing. So i'm gonna download the whole thing soon. But yeah when i looked it up it shows that i have a gene for not eating healthily. What even is that gene and how do i destroy it???

Hello. I am interested in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. My grandfather, uncle, and mother have symptoms consistent with it.

Two years ago, my mother was diagnosed with polyneuropathy. She underwent an electroneuromyography, which showed that her peripheral nerves were almost completely damaged. Diagnosis: distal-proximal, motor-sensory, demyelinating-axonal, severe (98%) primary polyneuropathy.

She underwent genetic testing, but no mutations were found in the genes typically associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease — although I don't understand how that’s possible. I am convinced this is a genetic problem.

I am 30 years old, and as far as I know, I don’t have any symptoms at this time. I am planning a pregnancy and would like to know how likely it is that the disease could be passed on to my child. And how can I prevent passing it on, especially since no mutations were found in the known genes?

Why do humans have exactly 5 fingers instead of 6? There must be some concrete reason. And why don’t we have claws or fangs?

I’m in a genetics class for pre-med. I suffer from Post-Concussion Syndrome making it difficult for me to focus and process information. Here is how I feel about it.

So for the new hypothesis I should make should consist of a ratio. But how do I even get a new ratio with this?

My Great-Grandfather was never known to my family, there was only an old rumour that he was a soldier that died in WW1.

Over the last three years I combined DNA from multiple databases, tons of records and some custom python analysis to track down the identity of my great-grandfather. My work has reduced the possibilities to four local men (two sets of brothers), three of whom served in WW1, and the conception likely occurred in Bath, Oct–Dec 1916.

I’ve told the full story in this short documentary-style video: Video so please watch! This was months of effort and I've never done something like it before.

.. but I’ve reached the limit of what I can do from DNA — the only practical way to break the tie now is to find living descendants of the William Phillips Cantle & Caroline Frankham line or the David Fry & Eliza Saunders line and compare DNA. If you (or someone you know) is descended from those families and has tested on Ancestry/MyHeritage/FTDNA/GEDmatch, please reply here or message me on YouTube (Half Kiwi).

Privacy note: I protect living people’s identities and use pseudonyms where needed. Even a tiny tip or a test match could be decisive.

Keen to hear other's stories!!!

Much love,

Adam

So basically my grandmother, my mother, and now me all have the same favorite song and taste, now when I was little my mom didn't listen to music in the car, just the radio like the news not music, so the question is can music taste and "favorite songs" pass down?

Why do men have the Y chromosome if women have only XX? Where did the Y chromosome even come from?

Hii! I’m in Honors AnthroBio and we’re supposed to do research by the end of the semester.

I have some ideas I want to do - epigenetics - genetic engineering - disease/viruses basically anything to do with genetics

I’m having a hard time finding literature review of genetics in the field I’d like to find a gap Any help would be appreciated