Golden Helix Blog

A Hidden Gem Inside Golden Helix CancerKB

Jul 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…

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VarSeq PGx inputs: Annotation Tracks Required for PGx Analysis

Jul 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…

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

Jun 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…

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Where Are My Structural Variant Calls? – Highlighting the Breakends Table

Jun 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…

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Plotting CNV Metrics in VarSeq

Jun 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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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Couple Carrier Screening Tutorial and Onboarding Training Now Available!

Apr 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…

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Evaluation Script Adding Variants to Catalog

Apr 23, 2024

Variant curation is one of the most important aspects of a next-generation sequencing workflow. The routine application of previously rendered interpretations, paired with the ability to take into account evolving knowledge bases, allows clinical practices to rapidly and accurately provide life-saving results to patients. Hence, assessment catalogs, versatile databases that…

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Variant Calling and CNV Import in PGx Genes using VSPGx

Apr 18, 2024

In this blog post, we will explore the nuances of variant calling and import in the context of VSPGx. We will discuss the importance of integrating must-call variant definitions into the calling processes and provide guidance on incorporating copy number variants (CNVs) and structural variations (SVs) into your PGx analysis…

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VarSeq PGx inputs: Converting Microarray data to VCF format

Apr 3, 2024

The release of VarSeq version 2.6.0 provides many new features. Most notably is our support for tertiary analysis of Pharmacogenomic (PGx) data. VarSeq not only calls the necessary gene diplotypes for your PGx panels but also handles large batches of samples from the called diplotypes to final report on drug…

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Including QC Metrics in Report Templates

Apr 2, 2024

Our customers often ask if they can include quality control metrics in their final reports. While which metrics you actually need to report may be unique to your lab, there are a variety of metrics that we can immediately render into a report, and even more that can be rendered…

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Computed Fields in VarSeq: The Ultimate Customization Tool

Apr 2, 2024

Bioinformatic freedom is core to the user experience with Golden Helix software, a topic with which you will be well-versed if you’ve kept up on our recent blogs. We are constantly endeavoring to provide our users with powerful tools to tackle complex and impactful next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows while maintaining…

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Advancing Genetic Research: The Role of VarSeq and VS-CNV in Breakthrough Discoveries

Mar 31, 2024

In the rapidly evolving field of genomics, innovative technologies, and methodologies are constantly being developed to enhance our understanding and diagnosis of genetic disorders. Golden Helix’s VarSeq and VS-CNV software platforms stand at the forefront of this revolution, offering powerful tools for genetic data analysis and interpretation. This blog highlights…

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