Webcast Q & A: Integrating Long and Short Read Sequencing for Comprehensive NGS Analysis

         August 22, 2024

Our webcast on Integrating Long and Short Read Sequencing for Comprehensive NGS Analysis was a timely review of a topic. We discussed how users are leveraging both short and long-read sequencing modalities for comprehensive NGS analyses, reviewing the differences between long and short-read sequencing, the benefits and limitations of each modality, and how they complement each other. The theme was how… Read more »

The Power of Phased Genotypes in Variant Analysis

         August 20, 2024
The Power of Phased Genotypes in Variant Analysis

Phased genotypes provide crucial information that allows us to separate variants into distinct haplotypes, representing the sequence of alleles inherited together from a single parent. This information can offer profound insights into inheritance patterns, the combined functional effects of variants, and the identification of specific genetic profiles such as pharmacogenomic diplotypes. In this blog post we describe how phased genotypes… Read more »

What’s Wrong with My Computer? The Value of a Self-Diagnostics Test

         August 13, 2024

Periodically, our FAS team will see a situation where a customer has installed VarSeq on a new machine…but something is not entirely right. Perhaps a VCF will not load, annotations cannot download, or a long-running process like coverage regions will not complete. Any of these issues alone can be tricky to troubleshoot, whether due to a permissions block, a lack… Read more »

The Versatility of VarSeq: Local and Cloud Deployment Options

         August 6, 2024

Cloud computation is a hot topic across industries that require scalable software solutions to enable growth, and for good reason. The cloud, in all its mystical appeal, has so mellifluously penetrated the zeitgeist that experts engaging with new software solutions are often eager to hear how they fit into the cloud computing ecosystem. In the world of next-generation sequencing (NGS),… Read more »

Our New Pharmacogenomic Tutorial is Hot Off the Press!

         August 1, 2024

Our customers asked for a step-by-step tutorial for navigating a pharmacogenomic (PGx) workflow in VarSeq, and we are happy to have it delivered! Our brand new PGx tutorial can be found on our website, along with our other VarSeq tutorials. You can also follow this link. Like our other famous tutorials, this one will provide example data, or you may… Read more »

Pioneering Precision Medicine: Recent Publications Showcasing the Impact of VarSeq

         July 30, 2024

This month, we saw overwhelming customer publications with great use cases of VarSeq. Explore the publications below of our amazing customers continuing to pioneer precision medicine. The polygenic implication of clopidogrel responsiveness: Insights from platelet reactivity analysis and next-generation sequencing Clopidogrel is widely used worldwide as an antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary disease. Genetic factors influence interindividual variability… Read more »

A Hidden Gem Inside Golden Helix CancerKB

         July 18, 2024

The FDA approved the first medical therapy for desmoid tumors only a few months ago! What’s the big deal, right? Desmoid tumors are non-cancerous and can’t even metastasize. Well, in this blog post, I want to discuss these interesting tumors, and you will find that not only are these tumors anything but benign, but Golden Helix CancerKB has you covered… Read more »

VarSeq PGx inputs: Annotation Tracks Required for PGx Analysis

         July 16, 2024

The PGx Variant Detection and Recommendations algorithm is the driving force behind the pharmacogenomic analysis capabilities provided by VSPGx in VarSeq. This algorithm is used to identify pharmacogenomic diplotypes and annotate them against drug recommendations. In this blog post, we outline the steps involved in the process and explain the annotation tracks utilized by the algorithm at each stage of… Read more »

Exploring Cutting-Edge Genetic Research with VarSeq: Recent Publications Highlighting Innovation and Discovery

         June 26, 2024

At Golden Helix, we are proud to support researchers and clinicians worldwide who push the boundaries of precision medicine. Our VarSeq software continues to be instrumental in the analysis and interpretation of genetic data, enabling groundbreaking discoveries and advancements. Recently, several papers have been published that showcase the power and versatility of VarSeq in various research domains, from neurodegenerative diseases… Read more »

Where are my structural variant calls? – Highlighting the Breakends Table

         June 25, 2024

In the last year, we have seen a surge in customers moving to whole genome sequencing. Not only does whole genome sequencing provide unparalleled gene coverage compared to whole exome, but depending on the kind of sequencing, you may expect to see additional file types as well. For example, our partners at PacBio will provide an additional VCF containing copy… Read more »

Plotting CNV Metrics in VarSeq

         June 11, 2024

Golden Helix has a long history of developing a high-quality NGS-based CNV caller. This has become even more apparent with our latest publication, where we teamed up with Twist Bioscience to demonstrate VarSeq capability of calling large copy number variants utilizing their clinical whole exome sequencing data. You can access the recent publication here: Analyzing Performance of Twist Bioscience Exome… Read more »

Preprints, Posters, and Golden Helix Authors

         May 30, 2024

We continue to make significant contributions to the field of genomic analysis through collaborative studies, innovative software solutions, and robust data interpretation methodologies. This blog highlights four recent contributions from our team and collaborators, showcasing the breadth of our research and its implications for clinical practice. Analyzing Performance of Twist Bioscience Exome Enrichment with Spike-in CNV Backbone Panels at Various… Read more »

Webcast Recap: Introducing VarSeq Dx as a Medical Device in the European Union

         May 23, 2024

This last Wednesday we introduced VarSeq Dx Mode which enables customers to use VarSeq as a CE marked in vitro diagnostic medical device! If you missed our live webcast, no problem! You can watch the recording here. In brief, we started out discussing IVDR and that it establishes standardization for medical devices and their manufacturers that market and sell these… Read more »

LOVD Annotations in VarSeq for Variants and CNVs

         May 23, 2024

The Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD) is an online database designed to facilitate the collection and display of clinically classified variants. Since its initial release in 2004, LOVD has evolved significantly, with the latest version, LOVD 3.0, greatly expanding the number of annotated variants. Golden Helix is excited to announce the release of two new annotation tracks containing data from… Read more »

Golden Helix at ESHG 2024 in Berlin, Germany!

         May 21, 2024

We are excited to participate in the European Human Genetics (ESHG) 2024 conference, where we will showcase our latest advancements in genetic analysis software. Attendees can visit Booth #428 to explore tools like VarSeq, VS-CNV, VSClinical, VSPipeline, and VSWarehouse. These solutions, aligned with ACMG and AMP Guidelines, offer powerful options for genomic analysis. Live demos will highlight our newest pharmacogenomics… Read more »

Demystifying the Representation of Structural Variants Imported into VarSeq

         May 20, 2024

VarSeq enables users to import structural variants for annotation, filtration, and subsequent clinical or other analyses. Structural variants are often called during secondary analysis as belonging to two broad categories – Copy Number Variants (CNVs) with the file suffix “…_CNV.vcf” and Breakends with the file suffix “…_SV.vcf”. This blog will give some insight into how structural variants are triaged when… Read more »

Secured CE Mark for the European Union 

         May 7, 2024

We are pleased to announce that Golden Helix has received CE mark approval for its genetic analysis platform VarSeq Suite. This significant regulatory milestone paves the way for the expansion of our advanced genetic analytics products to the European market, ensuring compliance with the European Union’s health, safety, and environmental protection standards.  Receiving the CE mark certifies that our VarSeq… Read more »

CNV Specific Updates to VarSeq 2.6.0

         May 6, 2024

The recent release of VarSeq 2.6.0 was filled with so many customer-requested features (for example, our long-awaited PGx workflow!) that some of our other new features have not yet had their time in the spotlight. For this blog, we are thrilled to announce that with the release of VarSeq 2.6.0, we have made WGS CNV calling more user-friendly than ever… Read more »

Powering Precision Medicine: Golden Helix Customers Innovate with VarSeq

         May 2, 2024

Precision tools are paramount for unlocking groundbreaking discoveries in the rapidly evolving field of genetic research. We have consistently paved the way with VarSeq—an all-encompassing solution tailored for genomics professionals. This sophisticated tool not only simplifies the complexity of genomic data but also amplifies its potential to drive significant advancements in medical research and personalized care. From aiding pediatric nephrology… Read more »

Couple Carrier Screening Tutorial and Onboarding Training Now Available!

         April 30, 2024

We are pleased to announce new training materials are available for multi-sample workflows in VarSeq! Specifically, we have a New Carrier Screening Tutorial and New Onboarding and Training guides for Carrier Screening Analysis in VarSeq, and Clinical Evaluation and Carrier Status Reporting in VSClinical. This blog gives an overview of what the user can expect to encounter when working through… Read more »