Improving custom bait design to
increase accuracy, sensitivity and coverage depth
Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider
of innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance
molecular medicine, has released a
new
application note exploring the optimisation of targeted DNA sequencing.
Entitled, "Fishing for variants in the deep end of the gene pool", the document
discusses how the intelligent design of custom bait probes can significantly improve
data quality by decreasing off-target noise, increasing the depth of coverage
and optimising the sensitivity of variant detection. Well-designed probes can
also be used to investigate GC-rich areas of the genome, thereby ensuring
studies are not biased towards low-GC regions.
Whilst whole exome
sequencing offers a powerful route into analysis of Mendelian disorders and
provides a platform for GWAS studies, custom designs offer significant
advantages where the biological question is more focused. Examples include the
follow up of genome wide association studies (GWAS) or investigations into the
mutational analysis of specific pathways or genes in a clinical context.
Targeted sequencing offers greater depth of coverage, reduced cost, simpler
data analysis and shorter time to results. However, the design of custom baits
for such studies is not straightforward and poor design strategies can render
the results unusable. For this reason, through its
GenefficiencyTM
Targeted Sequencing Services, OGT leverages its expertise in probe design
for solid and liquid phase hybridisation to create custom bait probes optimised
for each individual study, ensuring accurate, unbiased results that provide
true biological insight.
To find out more,
download
the new application note now or visit
www.ogt.co.uk For more information on the range of
genomic services offered by OGT.
