Y-chromosome markers in population genetics: fundamental and applied results of ethnogenomic research

The Y chromosome is a unique tool for studying the structure of gene pools and the evolutionary history of human populations. Patrilinearity ensures the sequential accumulation of mutations, as a result of which the Y chromosome is a fairly simple marker system for reconstructing evolutionary changes, migration, and other demographic processes in human populations. The analysis of Y-chromosome haplogroups can be effectively applied both for the analysis of the genetic and demographic history of various populations and for large-scale phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies of individual monophyletic lineages of different hierarchical levels. The discovery of novel population-specific DNA markers of this part of the human genome makes it possible to analyze in great detail the population, subethnic, and generic structure of various ethnic groups throughout all periods of its formation. Determination of the allelic profile of male samples in paleogenetic studies is especially important for the reconstruction of migrations, component composition, continuity of the genetic heritage of ancient populations, and clarification of the phylogeny of various sublineages. The accumulation of big data on the distribution of various haplogroups specific to different populations and the specificity of their profiles by SNP and STR markers, in addition to solving fundamental problems, allows us to succeed in solving practical problems on the genetic genealogy of each man, as well as the ethnic identification of an unknown individual based on his DNA sample and the development of test systems for DNA identification.

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