Ethel Vol is a Bioinformatician at MyHeritage. She has an MSc. in Genetics and Bioinformatics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is a member of the DNA Science team which expands the company’s expertise in the realm of DNA analysis. She
MyHeritage is the leading global destination for discovering, preserving and sharing family history. Our platform and DNA kits make it easy for anyone, anywhere to embark on a meaningful journey into their past and treasure their family stories fo
This MyHeritage webinar, led by bioinformatician Ethel Vol, explored the latest advancements in DNA ethnicity analysis, focusing on MyHeritage’s new Ethnicity Estimate version 2.5. The webinar provided valuable insights into how genetic data is analyzed to determine ethnic origins and how these advancements offer users a more detailed and accurate understanding of their ancestral roots.
The webinar illuminated several key aspects of modern DNA ethnicity research and MyHeritage’s innovative approach:
The MyHeritage Science Team employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating bioinformatics, population genetics, large-scale computing, and AI to analyze DNA results and provide users with enhanced personal insights. This team is responsible for the four main products a user gets from MyHeritage: DNA Matches, Ethnicity Estimate, Genetic Groups, and Ancient Origins.
MyHeritage’s new Ethnicity Estimate version 2.5 utilizes local ancestry inference, a significant advancement over previous global ancestry prediction methods. This sophisticated approach allows for a more detailed and accurate breakdown of ethnicities by analyzing specific DNA segments, providing a higher resolution of ancestral origins and reducing misleading results.
The updated ethnicity model significantly expands the number of identifiable ethnicities, from 42 to 79, including a more detailed breakdown of European ethnicities and the ability to distinguish between 15 different Jewish ethnicities. This enhancement offers users a deeper understanding of their heritage, as illustrated by examples where individuals with broad ethnicity estimates in previous models now receive more specific regional breakdowns.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of these advancements and how they can enrich genealogical research, view the full webinar which provides invaluable insights and practical guidance for anyone seeking to delve deeper into their ethnic origins and family history.
Today’s webinar gave a clear explanation between the global ancestry prediction used in the previous version and the new method of local ancestry inference where regions are divided into windows.
I am a very unscientific person who has little interest in the makeup of DNA. I keep pushing myself to try to understand and be interested. Today’s session was invaluable. It was very informative, interesting and was presented in a very uncomplicated way. I actually showed some interest and grasped some understanding, Thank you Ethel .
In this special session, MyHeritage's scientist will break down the science behind DNA – DNA inheritance, how DNA testing actually works, how raw results are analyzed, how DNA matching works and how we are able to find unknown relatives with it and estimate one's ethnic origins. In the second part of the session we will go over DNA results and important tools available on MyHeritage, that can help in researching your family history and identify relatives and relationships.
In this special session, MyHeritage's scientist will break down the science behind DNA – DNA inheritance, how DNA testing actually works, how raw results are analyzed, how DNA matching works and how we are able to find unknown relatives with it and estimate one's ethnic origins. In the second part of the session we will go over DNA results and important tools available on MyHeritage, that can help in researching your family history and identify relatives and relationships.
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Today’s webinar gave a clear explanation between the global ancestry prediction used in the previous version and the new method of local ancestry inference where regions are divided into windows.
Welcomed the explanation of how the various stages of DNA sampling and assessment lead to the determination of potential ethnicity.
I am a very unscientific person who has little interest in the makeup of DNA. I keep pushing myself to try to understand and be interested. Today’s session was invaluable. It was very informative, interesting and was presented in a very uncomplicated way. I actually showed some interest and grasped some understanding, Thank you Ethel .
Interesting to hear about the process that went into producing v2.5
great session
Interesting explanation of the new model being used by MyHeritage, probably need to watch again to fully understand.
Very enlightening. I have done my DNA and to have some of the things explained was great. I will definitely be re-watching this.
She made a very complicated subject more understandable! Thanks!