In a previous blog post, I demonstrated using VarSeq to directly analyze the whole genomes of 17 supercentenarians. Since then, I have been working with the variant set from these long-lived genomes to prepare a public data track useful for annotation and filtering. Well, we just published the track last week, and I’m excited to share some of the details… Read more »
Up until a few weeks ago, I thought variant classification was basically a solved problem. I mean, how hard can it be? We look at variants all the time and say things like, “Well that one is probably not too detrimental since it’s a 3 base insertion, but this frameshift is worth looking into.” What we fail to recognize is… Read more »
SVS 7.6.7 features new tools for filtering sequencing data based on functional predictions and allele frequencies. To complement these new features, new annotations tracks have been uploaded to our data server and are now available for our customers! Below you will find descriptions of the new tools and the related annotations track(s).
Every October, we prepare for spooky surprises — creaky doors, eerie whispers, and shadows that move when no one’s there. But in the world of genomics, at any given time and for any given analysis, there’s another kind of haunting that can appear: the ghost in the pipeline — the incidental finding. 👻 Specters in the Genome As you run… Read more »
Breakends (BNDs) represent the precise genomic coordinates where DNA is rearranged in structural variants such as translocations, inversions, and complex rearrangements. Analyzing breakends in NGS analysis is important because they capture the exact “breakpoints” of structural alterations, enabling accurate identification of gene fusions, large deletions, or other events that can disrupt or activate genes of clinical relevance. Systematically tracking how… Read more »
Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) are increasingly recognized as clinically important genetic variants, contributing to a wide range of rare inherited disorders. Historically, the analysis and clinical reporting of STRs have been challenging due to limitations in both sequencing technologies and interpretation frameworks. With the advent of long-read sequencing technologies and the advanced secondary analysis pipelines provided by PacBio, Oxford Nanopore,… Read more »
Golden Helix is excited to spread the word about our partnership with Genomenon, a genomic intelligence giant! We recently presented a joint webcast featuring Dr. Nathan Fortier, Director of Research, Dr. Rana Smalling (Field Application Scientist), members of the Golden Helix team, and Denice Belandres (Senior Manager of Customer Success) from the Genomenon team. This webcast demonstrated how VarSeq integrates… Read more »
When performing variant classification using VarSeq’s ACMG classifier, a large number of variants inevitably fall into the category of variants of uncertain significance (VUS). This is because much of the evidence required for confident classification cannot be programmatically evaluated. Take PS3, for example, the criterion for functional evidence. This criterion requires well-established in vitro or in vivo studies, but assessing… Read more »
In recent years, the adoption of advanced bioinformatics platforms has enabled clinicians and researchers to identify novel variants, characterize complex inheritance patterns, and better understand the clinical impact of genetic disorders. Below are publications from customers in September 2025, showcasing the work built upon the trusted capabilities of our VarSeq and VS-CNV software to annotate, filter, and interpret genomic variants… Read more »
In this blog post, I’ll highlight the benefits of using VSPipeline to automate tertiary analysis in VSWarehouse. Users can now run VSPipeline project creation as a standalone task or a final step in a bioinformatic workflow without writing code. Simply use one of our shipped VarSeq projects or create your own, then automate that project as a template that can… Read more »
We’re thrilled to announce that VarSeq 3.0.0 is right around the corner, and with it comes one of the most exciting updates yet: a complete reimagining of the Assessment Catalogs system. Whether you’re curating clinically relevant variants, tracking tumor-specific calls, or building rich catalogs of sample information, the new system is designed to be more powerful, more versatile, and easier… Read more »
Today, we announced a strategic partnership with Genomenon to integrate its Mastermind Genomic Intelligence Platform and Cancer Knowledgebase (CKB) into the Golden Helix software suite. This collaboration combines two industry-leading platforms to enhance genomic interpretation and deliver high-confidence, literature-backed insights to clinical laboratories worldwide. Through this integration, Golden Helix customers gain seamless access to Genomenon’s expertly curated germline and somatic… Read more »
At Golden Helix, we get to see firsthand how our software enables groundbreaking research around the world. Our tools are central to real-world discoveries, from cancer studies and prenatal diagnostics to uncovering new genetic links in rare diseases. These publications from August 2025 showcase how VarSeq and VSPipeline are helping researchers push the boundaries of what’s possible—automating workflows, streamlining variant… Read more »
In the dynamic field of pharmacogenomics (PGx), the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system stands out as a critical factor in personalizing drug therapies, particularly in avoiding severe adverse reactions. However, as highlighted in a comprehensive review on the HLA system’s genetics and clinical testing, these genes are notoriously challenging to analyze due to their extreme polymorphism, complicating alignment and variant… Read more »
As a new member of Golden Helix’s Field Application Services team, I’ve recently been diving into the capabilities of VarSeq and our broader software suite – an experience every new VarSeq user goes through. If I could schedule a training call with my former self, there are some key points I’d share to help hit the ground running. Here are… Read more »
Over the past several months, we’ve highlighted the powerful new capabilities introduced with VarSeq Warehouse 3.0. Today, I’d like to focus on a familiar feature that’s been thoughtfully enhanced, assessment catalog record management. This update significantly improves data quality, role-based collaboration, and regulatory compliance. Variant assessment catalogs have always been a core component of the VarSeq platform, allowing users to… Read more »
As next-generation sequencing (NGS) becomes more embedded in clinical diagnostics and research workflows, the ability to confidently interpret and report on genomic findings is more critical than ever. In July 2025, Golden Helix’s software suite continued to play a central role in variant annotation and classification, with publications spanning diverse clinical contexts, from population-wide secondary findings to rare disease diagnostics… Read more »
In the world of genomics, data ownership and portability are fundamental principles that every researcher and clinician should embrace. With the increasing complexity of genomic datasets and the critical importance of long-term data accessibility, having the ability to export your data in multiple formats is not just convenient, it’s essential. This is where the gautil export commands shine, providing researchers… Read more »
New to VarSeq 3 is support for breakend catalogs. Breakends represent the junction points of structural variants, which include complex genomic rearrangements like translocations, inversions, and large deletions that play crucial roles in cancer genomics and rare disease analysis. These catalogs are unique as they must save two genomic positions for each record, representing both sides of the structural variant… Read more »
This month, our team at Golden Helix is proud to highlight a series of standout customer publications demonstrating the real-world impact of next-generation sequencing and variant analysis. Featured articles from June 2025 showcase the power of the VarSeq platform in supporting high-quality research across hereditary and somatic disease. From integrating AI to enhance variant detection in colorectal cancer, to reclassifying… Read more »
