Golden Helix Blog

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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VarSeq 2.6.0 is Released!

Mar 26, 2024

We have been building up to the final release of VarSeq 2.6.0 for a couple of weeks now, but we are excited to announce that 2.6.0 is officially available! VarSeq 2.6.0 is an exciting release as this version of VarSeq features the introduction of VSPGx, offering a complete pharmacogenomic workflow,…

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Golden Helix VarSeq in Action – P715: Analyzing performance of the Twist exome with CNV backbone at various probe densities leveraging Golden Helix VS-CNV

Mar 22, 2024

Recently, at ACMG 2024, we unveiled a collaborative research project with Twist Biosciences. By utilizing Twist Bioscience enhanced Exome 2.0 Plus Comprehensive Exome Spike-In capture panel with added backbone probes, we developed a multi-modal CNV caller designed specifically for target-capture NGS data to detect single-exon to whole-chromosome aneuploid CNV events.…

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From the Inbox: Leveraging the Transparency and Flexibility of VSClinical for ACMG Guidelines

Mar 19, 2024

When a variant shows up as rare in the general “healthy” population, as indicated by low frequency or absence in one or more commonly referenced population catalogs such as GnomAD Exomes or 1000 Genomes, this indicates by proxy that the variant may be pathogenic. However, several factors determine the frequency…

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Webcast Recap and Q & A: Introducing VSPGx: Pharmacogenomics Testing in VarSeq

Mar 14, 2024

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the live webcast introducing the newest genomic analysis tool within VarSeq, VSPGx! For those of you who could not make it to the live presentation and demonstration, I will fill you in on what we covered. If you would like…

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CIO Bulletin – Innovation Excellence Awards

Mar 12, 2024

Leading the Genomic Revolution with VarSeq Suite, Revolutionizing Precision Medicine, and Envisioning a Path for Healthier Tomorrow: Golden Helix Inc We recently were awarded by CIO Bulletin 2024, a winner of their Innovation Excellence Awards. Due to our groundbreaking contributions to the field of precision medicine, this recognition is greatly…

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