A new study published in *Nature* reveals that artefacts present in single-cell mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses can significantly misinform phylogenetic reconstructions. Researchers found that these artefacts, stemming from the analysis process itself, can lead to inaccurate conclusions about evolutionary relationships.
Researchers identified that the artefacts arise during the process of analyzing mtDNA from individual cells. These errors can distort the perceived genetic distances between samples, ultimately leading to incorrect phylogenetic trees. The study highlights a critical need for caution when interpreting results derived from single-cell mtDNA analyses, particularly in fields like evolutionary biology and medicine where accurate phylogenetic information is crucial.
The research, published online on August 19, 2026, details how these artefacts can create false signals of relatedness or distance between cells. This is particularly problematic because single-cell mtDNA analysis is increasingly used to trace cell lineages and understand the evolution of populations, including those involved in diseases like cancer. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of developing methods to identify and correct for these artefacts to ensure the reliability of phylogenetic inferences. The article’s doi is 10.1038/s41586-026-10777-0.
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