Tag Archives: VarSeq

VarSeq PGx inputs: Converting Microarray data to VCF format

         April 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 recommendations. Here is a link to a recent webcast demonstrating… Read more »

Including QC Metrics in Report Templates

         April 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 with a few customizations. For help with any report modifications,… Read more »

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

         March 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 recent research endeavors where these tools have been instrumental. From… Read more »

VarSeq 2.6.0 is Released!

         March 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, including data import, variant analysis, and report generation. We have… Read more »

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

         March 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. We are proud to say that from Golden Helix, Andreas… Read more »

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

         March 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 threshold below which a variant is considered rare enough to… Read more »

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

         March 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 to watch or re-watch the webcast, you can access the… Read more »

CIO Bulletin – Innovation Excellence Awards

         March 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 appreciated. Here’s a summary of the key highlights: In conclusion,… Read more »

Five Ways to Optimize Workflows with VarSeq

         March 7, 2024

There are many ways to optimize an individual workflow, from increasing the granularity of a filter chain to automating certain multi-stepped tasks. Although the best way to optimize an individual workflow is to book a session with our FAS team to talk about your unique use case, we wanted to highlight five ways a workflow can be optimized across most… Read more »

Golden Helix is Launching VSPGx

         February 27, 2024

VSPGx is a pharmacogenomics interpretation software based on CPIC recommendations. The field of pharmacogenetics bridges genetics and pharmacology, with the aim of optimizing drug therapies for individual patients based on their unique genetic makeup. It has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by improving drug efficacy, reducing adverse reactions, and advancing the concept of personalized medicine moving away from a one… Read more »

We Are Heading to Toronto!

         February 27, 2024

Join Golden Helix at the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) 2024 conference and discover the latest advances in genetic research. This premier event brings together leading researchers, clinicians, and industry experts to share their insights on cutting-edge topics in medical genetics. Stop by our booth for a live demo of our software, learn about the latest features,… Read more »

GnomAD v4 Released: Enhanced Data and Golden Helix Curation for VarSeq Users

         February 7, 2024

The Broad Institute’s release of gnomAD v4 needs no introduction as the data in this release is highly sought after by professionals in the genetics community, and the v4 release has a lot to boast about! The v4 release is roughly five times larger than the v2 and v3 releases combined and includes data from 807,162 total individuals. Naturally, exome… Read more »

Exploring the Genetic Frontier: Advances in Understanding Eye Disorders

         January 30, 2024

Welcome to the exploration of groundbreaking genetic research in ophthalmology. Recent studies have unveiled fascinating insights into the complex interplay between genetics and eye diseases, offering hope and new directions for understanding and treating these conditions. From novel genetic variants linked to microphthalmia and glaucoma to the long-term implications of cataract surgery in childhood, we’re diving into the depths of… Read more »

Using Liftover to Curate GnomAD v4 for GRCh37

         January 25, 2024

We are excited to announce the release of our gnomAD v4 annotation tracks for VarSeq. This version of the GnomAD database represents a significant leap forward, including data from an impressive cohort of over 800,000 individuals — a remarkable 5x expansion compared to the previous releases. Notably, this dataset is comprised of two distinct callsets: exome sequencing data from 730,947… Read more »

Advanced Techniques for GenomeBrowse Customization

         January 23, 2024

Today, we will be exploring the indispensable role of GenomeBrowse in your VarSeq workflows. This blog aims to guide you through various customization options, including color preferences, filtering techniques, display modifications, numeric value plotting, and additional tips. I hope to enhance your GenomeBrowse experience and enable you to gain valuable insights into your data. Let’s jump in by talking about… Read more »

Auto Computation of Coverage Files

         January 18, 2024

The latest VarSeq release offers enhanced control over genome browse visualization computations. These computations, which are responsible for computing and caching the aggregate view of tracks within GenomeBrowse, are now more flexible. Typically, these tracks create files with the “.covtsf” extension and are used for zoomed-out density views of sources like VCFs and BAMs. Previously, the computation would commence automatically… Read more »

Webcast Recap: VarSeq, the Complete Tertiary Platform for Short and Long-Read NGS Data

         January 18, 2024

Many thanks to those who came to view our most recent webcast, From Panels to Genomes with VarSeq: The Complete Tertiary Platform for Short and Long-Read NGS Data. This was a great opportunity for us to showcase the breadth of our workflows, from short-read to long-read, panels to genomes, singleton analysis to families. In this blog, we would like to… Read more »

Managing Gene Preferences and Preferred Transcripts in VarSeq

         January 16, 2024

There are several contextual factors to consider when analyzing genomic data for NGS analyses. A variant may have divergent impacts depending on which transcript of the gene is being considered, or the impact of a variant could be weighed more or less heavily depending on the disease context. Evidently, the user’s gene preferences are very important, but not all software… Read more »

The Log Tab in VarSeq

         January 11, 2024

How long did it take to run coverage regions? Did my colleague update the filter chain like he said he would? Which import options did I use? Where did I save this project? These questions and more can be answered with our little-used VarSeq Log tab. Periodically, our customers come to us with questions in the realm of record keeping,… Read more »