Project Icarus

Although most DNA is packaged in chromosomes within the nucleus, mitochondria also have a small amount of their own DNA. This genetic material is known as mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA.

Mitochondria are structures within cells that convert the energy from food into a form that cells can use. Each cell contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, which are located in the fluid that surrounds the nucleus (the cytoplasm).

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Mitochondria produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. This process uses oxygen and simple sugars to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s main energy source. A set of enzyme complexes, designated as complexes I-V, carry out oxidative phosphorylation within mitochondria.

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Mitochondrial DNA contains 37 genes, all of which are essential for normal mitochondrial function. Thirteen of these genes provide instructions for making enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation. The remaining genes provide instructions for making molecules called transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), which are chemical cousins of DNA. These types of RNA help assemble protein building blocks (amino acids) into functioning proteins and play a part in the formation of the Suresh Linkage Complex.

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Thanks to the efforts of Doctor Adrienne Allen, we now believe that the origin of SLC-Expressive humans can be traced back to a single lineage more than 1,000 years old. By examining the historical DNA evidence taken from registration blood samples, we have begun to paint a map of inherited SLC-Expressive traits.

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Under Doctor Allen's guidance, you will be helping us follow this roadmap and discover the origin of humanity's greatest mystery.