Publications by authors named "Reem Lootah"

Article Synopsis
  • * Rapidly mutating Y-STRs (RM Y-STRs) have higher mutation rates and can better differentiate male lineages, especially in endogamous groups, than traditional Y-STRs.
  • * This study analyzed 861 male pairs from Punjabi endogamous pedigrees, observing varying mutation frequencies, with overall differentiation rates averaging 59.46%, and updated mutation rates for RM Y-STRs based on father-son pair data.
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This article details the development of a single multiplex system amplifying 26 rapidly mutating Y-STR markers. A sequenced allelic ladder, constructed for calling alleles of all loci, is introduced. The multiplex system shows the ability to address the limitations of Y-STRs commercial kits in differentiating closely related males.

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The Middle East region is important to understand human evolution and migrations but is underrepresented in genomic studies. Here, we generated 137 high-coverage physically phased genome sequences from eight Middle Eastern populations using linked-read sequencing. We found no genetic traces of early expansions out-of-Africa in present-day populations but found Arabians have elevated Basal Eurasian ancestry that dilutes their Neanderthal ancestry.

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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China and spread to more than 114 countries resulting in a pandemic, which was declared by the WHO in March 2020. Tracking the spread of the virus raised a main concern in every country. Many researches proved the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in stool samples of patients, where the genes of this virus gave a positive signal several days prior to the occurrence of symptoms.

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X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs) are used to complement autosomal and Y-STRs in complex kinship testing, and can be of potential value when determining trace female DNA in male background. We analyzed extracted and directly-amplified samples of 501 males from the United Arab Emirates and report the forensic statistical parameters of 12 X-STRs and haplotypes of the four previously defined linkage groups using the Investigator Argus X-12 QS kit. Combined PD, PD, MEC Desmarais Trio and MEC Desmarais Duo based on allele (and haplotype) frequencies were 0.

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