Mitogenomics

Mitogenomics is the study of the genetic information found in mitochondria, which are tiny structures inside cells that generate energy. Unlike most DNA located in the cell nucleus, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited only from mothers and is relatively small but highly useful for tracking lineage, evolution, and certain diseases. Analyzing mtDNA helps scientists understand genetic relationships among individuals and populations, identify evolutionary history, and study mitochondrial disorders. Essentially, mitogenomics focuses on the complete set of mitochondrial genes to gain insights into biology, ancestry, and health.