top-banner

WHOLE EXOME SEQUENCING DECODE&DISCOVER

An unbiased look at the protein-coding region of our DNA

OVERVIEW

Whole exome sequencing (WES) is a comprehensive genetic test which analyzes the protein-coding regions (exons) of all human genes (~20,000 genes). The sum of all the exons is called an exome. The human exome contains ~85% of known disease-related variants. The remaining 15% of disease-causing variants are located within introns (non-coding regions). Decode&Discover is designed to detect the exome variants, as well as the intronic variants. All of these variants can change the function of the underlying DNA sequence, thereby causing disease.

IMPORTANCE OF GETTING TESTED

WES offers a simultaneous analysis of a large number of genes. It substantially increases the chances of finding the genetic cause of diseases with complex and non-specific symptoms. WES reduces the time and cost from symptom presentation to diagnosis, and has an increased diagnostic yield. The results may provide information about the recurrence risk (chance of having another child with a similar condition) and may also be useful for other family members.

top-banner

Patients with a
complicated medical
history that affects
many organs

top-banner

Patients who have
undergone previous
genetic testing with
inconclusive results

top-banner

Patients with complex,
non-specific symptoms
with multiple differential
diagnoses

top-banner

Patients with a
severe presentation
in the neonatal or
childhood period

OUR TEST OPTIONS

Trio WES is the most commonly performed analysis providing comprehensive results with the highest diagnostic yield. In cases where only one or no biological parent is available for testing, we can perform Duo WES or Single WES respectively. Trio WES allows simultaneous analysis for all modes of inheritance and can ascertain the significance of clinically relevant variants.


RESOURCES
Accepted material

2 mL EDTA blood, amnio fluid, FFPE tissue, dried blood spots or DNA
DNA: minimum 10ng/µL in 50µL volume

Technology

DNA is isolated and next generation sequencing is performed on all coding exons and conserved intronic regions. Single base pair changes, small deletions and duplications and copy number variants (CNV) are identified. Variant classification is performed following ACMG guidelines (Richards et al. 2015, Genet Med 17:405; Kearney et al. 2011, Genet Med 13:680).

Sequencing technology

NGS Illumina NovaSeq Systems

Sequencing set-up

2×150 bp (300 cycles)

Enrichment

>99% protein coding genes including conserved splice regions

Exome Panel size

36.6 Mb

SNV detection sensitivity

99.92%

Indel size

Up to 20 bp

Intron/Exon boundary

10 bp into flanking introns
+/-8 bp

Coverage & Depth

Mean coverage 100X
97% of bases with minimum coverage 20X

Human Reference Genome

GRCh38

Classification of variants

ACMG guidelines

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF THE TEST

A molecular genetic diagnostic report outlining the results of the sequencing analysis is provided.
Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants: the genetic cause of the observed symptoms has been identified and may help determine the right treatment and management plan.
Variants of unknown significance (VUS): there was not enough evidence to classify the variant as either pathogenic or neutral. However, future information may connect the variant with the patient’s symptoms. If new information becomes available, the meaning of the results may change for the patient and their relatives (and they will be notified). Annual variant reclassification and testing family members is recommended.
Incidental findings: genetic changes that are not associated with the patient’s current condition may be discovered which may be medically important and will be automatically included in the report unless they are associated with adult-onset disorders for which there are no interventions available.
Secondary findings: genetic changes that are not associated with the patient’s current condition, which have been defined by the American College of Medical Genetics as medically important. The patient or legal guardian must consent to the reporting of these results.

It is important to note that a negative result does not guarantee the absence of a disorder or that the disorder does not have a genetic cause. Additional knowledge may become available that could explain the underlying cause of the symptoms.

MEDICAL GENETIC COUNSELLING

We provide expert medical genetic counselling as part of a genetic testing journey. Genetic counselling is a process of communication that supports patients and their relatives before and after genetic testing. It is educational, impartial and nondirective. Prior to any genetic test, genetic counsellors will obtain a detailed family history, explain the method of testing that will be used, its risks and benefits, the limitations of the diagnosis and the implications of making a genetic diagnosis (Elliott and Friedman, 2018, Nat Rev Genet 19:735).

Upon receiving the genetic test results, genetic counselling can help the specialist physician and the patient to interpret them. They can be advised of the consequences of the results including the probability of developing the genetic disorder or passing it on to children, as well as ways to prevent, avoid or reduce these risks (Yang and Kim, 2018, Ann Lab Med 38:291). Our goal of counselling is to provide the patient with greater knowledge and thus, a better understanding of the results and the ability to make a more informed decision.

BLOG ARTICLES

Every year on April 25th, DNA Day celebrates the discovery of DNA’s double helix and the advances we’ve made in understanding genetics. D…

Read more

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have diverse genetic origins, making diagnosis challenging. A new study analyzing over 1,100 pediatric patients f…

Read more

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide, with a significant number of cases presenting at an advanced …

Read more

Carrier screening is a genetic test designed to identify whether an individual carries a gene with changes (mutations) associated with inherited diso…

Read more

Trisomy 13, also known as Patau syndrome, is a genetic condition in which cells in the body have three copies of chromosome 13 instead of two. The co…

Read more

The human brain develops through a complex series of events, with genes carefully regulating the formation of neurons and glial cells. A recent study…

Read more

Rare diseases affect between 300 and 400 million people worldwide – more than cancer and AIDS combined [1, 2], but despite this, many people face a…

Read more

Rosalind Elsie Franklin was a brilliant and meticulous research scientist whose interdisciplinary work made fundamental contributions to various area…

Read more

February, designated as Cancer Awareness Month, marks a time to reflect on the remarkable progress made in cancer research and to inspire hope for th…

Read more

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health issue as it remains a leading cause of death worldwide [1]. CVD is responsible for mor…

Read more

OUR NETWORK