DNA-Sequencing Solutions
Background Information
Almac Diagnostic Services has implemented a range of comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions including large panels, mid-size panels and bespoke single gene assays. These multiple solutions are analysed using the Illumina MiSeq, NextSeq500, NextSeq550, NovaSeq6000 and NovaSeq X Plus sequencing platforms. Our DNA-Sequencing solutions support novel biomarker discovery through to prospective clinical trial use, supported by Almac innovative proprietary bioinformatics solutions.
To find out more information on each Almac solution, click the appropriate drop-down below:
TruSight™ Oncology 500
TruSight™ Oncology 500
The Platform: The TSO-500 panel targets DNA and RNA variants for assessment of 523 genes, including RNA fusions from 55 genes, in the same solid tumour sample. In addition, it accurately measures the key immunotherapy biomarkers: tumour mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI).
Features & Benefits:
- Pan-cancer content aligned with key guidelines and clinical trials
- Tumour-only workflow for simplicity and efficiency
- TMB calling performance similar to whole-exome sequencing (WES) panels
- Large 1.94 Mb panel and sophisticated algorithm for accurate TMB score
- A solution that can be kit-able in future to support multiple CDx tests
Metric | TSO-500 Solution |
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Chemistry | Illumina TruSight™ Oncology 500 |
Tissue Type | FF and FFPE (compatible with other sample types on request) |
Recommended Tissue Requirements | For FFPE, tissue should be macrodissected 10 x 5 µm FFPE sections with a tissue area >1cm2 and high tumour content >10% viable cells Specific tissue guidelines will be provided on a per-project basis |
Recommended DNA Input | Recommended sample input 120 ng, minimum 40 ng |
Standard Sequencing Specification | Minimum 200X coverage |
Deliverables | FASTQ, VCF, TMB & MSI Scores and QC Report as standard. BAM files available on request |
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Service
A high quality, robust Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) solution built on Roche’s platform. Almac’s wet lab optimised workflow generates comprehensive WGS data from blood. The platform covers coding and non-coding regions with readily interpretable raw sequencing data for use in biomarker discovery and retrospective clinical investigation.
Features & Benefits:
- QC guarantee of 30X mean target coverage across sample cohort ensures comprehensive downstream analysis and data interpretation
- Protocol optimised for blood samples
- Interactive QC report enables rapid and comprehensive sample quality interrogation across the cohort
- Raw Sequence data delivered in FASTQ format, compatible with the majority of bioinformatics pipelines
- Germline variant discovery service: filtered and annotated germline variants delivered as standard VCF files compatible with majority of downstream interpretation tools.
Metric | WGS Solution |
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Chemistry | Roche KAPA HyperPrep (PCR-Free) |
Sample Type | Optimised for blood |
Recommended Sample Requirements | 2ml EDTA Blood |
Recommended DNA Input | Minimum recommended input of 250ng DNA from blood samples |
Standard Sequencing Specification | 30X mean target coverage |
Deliverables | FASTQ files Excel compatible report, detailing lab, pre & post alignment QC HTML interactive report allowing simultaneous assessment of sequence QC data from multiple samples. Germline variant discovery service including variant filtering and annotation offered as standard. |
Whole Genome Methylation Sequencing (WGMS) Service
A high quality, robust Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) solution built on New England Biolab’s enzymatic methylation sequencing platform (EM-seq). Almac’s wet lab optimised workflow generates comprehensive WGMS data from fresh frozen (FF) samples. The platform covers coding and non-coding regions, generating raw sequencing data for use in biomarker discovery and retrospective clinical investigation. Optional bioinformatics services include processing of raw sequencing data to generate readily interpretable CpG site methylation profiles, and fully customised downstream analysis and reporting solutions.
Features & Benefits:
QC guarantee of 30X mean target coverage across sample cohort enables comprehensive downstream analysis and data interpretation.
- EM-Seq methodology allows for more uniform coverage of CpG site methylation sites.
- Protocol optimised for fresh frozen tissue samples.
- Interactive QC report enables rapid and comprehensive sample quality interrogation across the cohort.
- Raw Sequence data delivered in FASTQ format, compatible with the majority of bioinformatics pipelines for processing and interpreting Em-Seq data.
- Optional bioinformatics services to generate readily interpretable CpG site methylation profiles, and fully customised downstream analysis and reporting solutions
Metric | WGMS Solution |
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Chemistry | New England Biolabs NEBNext Enzymatic Methyl-Seq (EM-Seq™). |
Tissue Type | Optimised for Fresh Frozen (FF) samples. |
Standard Sequencing Specification | 30X average on target coverage across cohort (sample quality dependent). |
Deliverables | FASTQ and/or BAM files.
Excel compatible report, detailing lab, pre & post alignment QC.
|
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) Services
The Platform: Almac optimised solution for comprehensive Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) from multiple sample types, including more challenging Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) material. The platform covers 99.7% of coding exons with readily interpretable raw sequencing data for use in biomarker discovery and retrospective clinical investigation.
Features & Benefits:
- A comprehensive variant detection platform, covering 213,994 coding exons
- QC guarantee of 100X mean target coverage across sample cohort ensured comprehensive downstream analysis and data interpretation
- Machine-learning based bait design of SureSelect Human All Exon V7 maximises coverage with minimal sequencing
- Interactive QC report enables rapid and comprehensive sample quality interrogation across cohort
- Raw sequence data delivered in FASTQ format and compatible with the majority of bioinformatics pipelines
Metric | WES Solution |
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Chemistry | Agilent Human All Exon V7 |
Tissue Type | Optimised for FFPE (compatible with other sample types on request) |
Recommended Tissue Requirements | For FFPE, tissue should be macrodissected 10 x 5 µm FFPE sections with a tissue area >1cm2 and high tumour content >10% viable cells Specific guidelines will be provided on a per-project basis |
Recommended DNA Input | Recommended Minimum 100 ng from FF Recommended Minimum 100 ng of amplifiable DNA from FFPE |
Standard Sequencing Specification | On average 100X coverage Other Sequencing specifications available on request |
Deliverables | FASTQ, VCF and interactive QC Report as standard. BAM available files on request |
PGDx elio™ tissue complete
PGDx elio™ tissue complete
The Platform: The Personal Genome Diagnostics PGDx elio™ tissue complete panel is a comprehensive pan-cancer in vitro diagnostic NGS-based assay that identifies key genomic alterations in 505 Full coding genes. This assay identifies somatic mutations with high accuracy and sensitivity, providing information on single nucleotide variants (SNVs), insertions/ deletions (indels), amplifications, translocations, and immune-oncology biomarkers microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumour mutation burden (TMB) in accordance with NCCN guidelines. The automated and robust bioinformatics pipeline ensures consistent, high quality comprehensive results to support critical treatment decisions and cancer care pathways.
Features & Benefits:
- Identifies key genomic alterations in 500+ genes including key immune-oncology biomarkers microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumour mutation burden (TMB).
- Utilises a robust automated Bioinformatics pipeline to offer fast, reliable, and comprehensive results.
- Identifies potential therapy targets from a single sample to help inform critical treatment decisions.
* The technical specification table for the PGDx elio™ tissue complete panel is as per the PGDx website and guidelines. For further information visit: https://www.personalgenome.com/products
Metric | PGDx elio™ Solution |
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Chemistry | PGDx elio™ tissue complete |
System | Illumina NextSeq |
Genes | 505 Full Coding Genes |
DNA input requirement | 50-100ng |
Sequencing coverage | 2,500x |
Total assay turnaround time | For batch retrospective testing – turnaround time agreed on a per project basis |
Variants | SNVs, indels, Amplifications, Translocations, MSI, TMB |
Data Analysis | Automated Bioinformatics pipeline |
TruSight™ Tumor 170 Clinical Trial Assay
Almac TruSight™ Tumor 170 Clinical Trial Assay
The Platform: Almac has validated the Illumina TST-170 cancer mutation panel for prospective clinical trial use, within Europe and the US. The TST-170 panel targets DNA and RNA variants for assessment of 170 genes including 55 genes for fusions and splice variants, 148 for SNVs and Indels and 59 genes for CNV (CNV – Illumina RUO Assay Only).
Features & Benefits:
- Pan-cancer content aligned with key guidelines and clinical trials
- Analytically validated for use in prospective clinical trials
- High levels of accuracy and precision from FFPE suitable for clinical trial use
- Bespoke Almac bioinformatics pipelines providing enhanced variant call reproducibility, accuracy and data quality control (QC)
- A solution that can be kit-able in future to support multiple CDx
Metric | Almac TST-170 Solution |
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Chemistry | Illumina TruSight™ Tumor 170 |
Tissue Type | Validated for FFPE solid tumour tissue (compatible with other sample types on request for RUO testing) |
Recommended Tissue Requirements | 1 mm3 Tissue ∞ (If FFPE, tissue should be macrodissected) Specific guidelines provided on a per-project basis |
Recommended Input | 120 ng DNA 85 ng RNA* |
Standard Sequencing Specification | Minimum coverage of 95% of reportable range ≥259X |
Deliverables | FASTQ, VCF, QC Report as standard with Customised Reporting. BAM files available on request |
Estimated TAT | Approx. 9 days § for prospective testing (From sample receipt, inclusive of pathology review)For RUO testing, timelines advised on a per-project basis |
*Ability of TST-170 to analyse RNA allows for detection of expressed fusion genes resulting from both chromosomal abnormalities and posttranscriptional events and thus detects gene fusions that DNA sequencing panels would not recognize
∞ Variable across tissue type; Melanoma would require more tissue; Tissue fixation has greatest influence upon sample QC and assay performance
§ From sample receipt, inclusive of pathology review
TP53 Clinical Trial Assay
Almac TP53 Clinical Trial Assay
The Platform: A bespoke single gene assay targeting the TP53 tumour suppressor gene. This assay is intended to detect genomic germline and somatic DNA aberrations (SNVs and indels) enabling determination of molecular eligibility to facilitate clinical trial enrolment.
Features & Benefits:
- Comprehensive coverage of the full coding sequence
- Dual amplicon workflow and individual base QC ensure high-confidence ‘Mutation Detected’ & ‘Not Detected’ status
- High levels of accuracy and precision from FFPE suitable for clinical trial use
- Rapid turnaround time with powerful reporting and interpretation services
Metric | Almac TP53 Solution |
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Chemistry | Illumina TruSeq™ Custom Amplicon Dx |
Tissue Type | Validated for FFPE solid tumour tissue (compatible with other sample types on request for RUO testing) |
Recommended Tissue Requirements | 1 mm3 Tumor Tissue (macrodissected) 10% viable tumour cells within marked tumour area Specific guidelines will be provided on a per-project basis |
Recommended Input | Input for FFPE is determined based on sample quality from qPCR amplifiability assessment and comparison to high-quality genomic DNA control 100 ng input for RUO testing of FF tissue, blood, BMA etc |
Standard Sequencing Specification | Minimum coverage of 99% of reportable range ≥ 1000X |
Deliverables | FASTQ, VCF, QC Report as standard with Customised Reporting. BAM files available on request |
Estimated TAT | Approx. 7 days § for prospective testing (From sample receipt, inclusive of pathology review) For RUO testing, timelines advised on a per-project basis |
§ From sample receipt, inclusive of pathology review
Custom DNA Sequencing Solutions
Custom DNA Sequencing Solutions
We offer the development of custom RUO DNA sequencing solutions for retrospective use tailored to clients exact requirements.
When a biomarker assay is required for trial enrichment, or a patient treatment decision will be made based on the result, assays must be run under CLIA / GLP. Not all biomarker assays that take place in the clinical trial setting will result in patient treatment decisions; those that are pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers or assays for research use only purposes (RUO) do not require the same level of validation and are typically run retrospectively in batches as the trial progresses.
Although the validation requirements are less stringent, we develop and process these assays under the same quality management system and with the same processes and protocols for robust delivery.
Almac Additional Benefits for DNA Sequencing Solutions
Flexible Extraction Protocols: Almac offer both high-quality single DNA extractions and a dual RNA / DNA extraction protocol for our DNA-Sequencing solutions. Dual extraction facilitates simultaneous generation of RNA-Seq data and DNA-Seq data from a single sample, conserving valuable sample material.
Customisable Analysis & Reporting: Data analysis and reporting is performed using Almac customised bioinformatics pipelines implemented on DNAnexus, a global leader in biomedical informatics and data management. DNAnexus is a cloud-based NGS solution which ensures scalability and security of project data. A significant benefit of utilising DNAnexus within this offering is the flexibility of workflow optimisation and the ability to customise bespoke pipelines.
DNA-Sequencing Resources
To view additional resources such as whitepapers, technical factsheets, webinars and other information, click here.
Contact Us
Interested in partnering with Almac on your biomarker project using our DNA Sequencing Solutions? Get in touch below: