Abstract: The phenomenon of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy has been greatly regarded in a variety of research fields including genetics, evolution, developmental genetics, forensic genetics and molecular biology. Because of the presence of mtDNA heteroplasmy and therefore a need to examine both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear genome, studies of disease, evolution and phylogenesis are complicated. In addition, the mechanism of mtDNA replication and the application of mtDNA analysis to forensic practice are also significant developments in this type of research. Although there is no agreement about the mechanism for mtDNA heteroplasmy formation or for the standard method of how to determine mtDNA heteroplasmy, much progress has been made and this paper provides a current view on this research topic.

Key words: Hutouling; Microcore; Microlithic technology