Chinese scientists from Peking University claim to have found the “love gene” that nudges up the odds of being involved in a romantic relationship. Studies found that university students who inherited two copies of the gene type were able to find a romantic partner more easily than other people. The reason for this is that the gene variant affected their mood and mental wellbeing through the brain chemical serotonin.

This is the first time that direct evidence between genetic factors and the formation of relationships have been found. Specifically, the gene called 5-HTA1 that affects the levels of serotonin, the mood hormone, are responsible for our inclination of romance. One version of the gene, the C variant, lead to higher levels of serotonin than the G version.

The tests were conducted on 579 Han Chinese students and it was found that half of those who inherited two copies of the C variety of gene – one from each parents – were in relationships. Their unlucky counterparts with one or two copies of the G gene had only a 40% chance of being romantically involved.

The study was published by the Scientific Reports journal. “As pessimism and neuroticism are detrimental to the formation, quality and stability of relationships, this connection between the G (variant) and psychological disorders might decrease carriers’ dating opportunities or lead to romantic relationship failure,” wrote Xiaolin Zhou from Peking university.

Of course, the scientists’ analysis found that there was a 1.4% difference in the likelihood of being single. Small, but still significant.