title: Geographical and social influences on genetic diversity within the Egyptian population: analyses of Alu insertion polymorphisms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The geographical location of Egypt at the crossroads of several major cultural areas between North Africa and the Middle East has contributed to its population history.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the genetic structure of the population living in two geographical parts of Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 112 Egyptians from the North African part of Egypt (Ismailia sample) and a sample of 52 Egyptians from the Asian part Sinai, have been analysed using 10 Alu insertion polymorphisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the present study showed a significant genetic difference between the Sinai and Ismailia samples. The latter showed an evident genetic affinity with North African populations; whereas the Sinai sample was found to be genetically closer to the Middle East populations. The Sinai sample showed a low average heterozygosity, unlike that found in the Ismailia sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides new insights into the genetic structure of the Egyptian population living in a land bridge between Africa and Asia. Results suggest a genetic discontinuity between the Sinai population and that of the North African part of Egypt. This discontinuity would have been maintained thanks to geo-climatic and social factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University , PO Box 22979 Manama , Bahrain .
authors.forename: Abdel Halim
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: Raoudha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bahri
authors.forename: Hamdi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jarjanazi
authors.forename: Hassen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chaabani
mesh_terms: D020087:Alu Elements; D018912:Arabs; D004534:Egypt; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers