From Sample to Sequence to Insight

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), has responded to recent news items and government reports discussing the challenges facing the clinical adoption of next generation sequencing (NGS) by issuing a statement from its CEO, Dr Mike Evans. OGT has significant experience in this area, providing a range of genomic analysis solutions via its CytoSure™ and Genefficiency™ products and services, including a targeted sequencing offering designed to produce insightful results rather than mountains of data. Dr Evans commented: “Current opinion would suggest that the difficulties associated with complex data analysis are currently the biggest factor inhibiting the widespread adoption of NGS in the clinic. To make this technique effective, clinicians need to be able to rapidly identify important genomic variations, without the need for extensive bioinformatics expertise. For this reason, OGT’s rapidly developing targeted sequencing service provides translational researchers looking for causative mutations in patient samples with an easy-to-use data report that highlights the key findings of each study. This allows NGS data to be used quickly and efficiently, facilitating rapid diagnostic analysis and informed treatment planning.”

Dr Evans continued: “As well as easy-to-analyse data, clinicians also require fast turnaround times, even when working with large numbers of samples. As an expert service provider specifically dedicated to quick, efficient and precise high-throughput sample processing, OGT is a centre of excellence generating easy-to-use data within clinically relevant timeframes”.  Dr Bernd Wollnik of the Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Cologne, has recently utilised OGT’s Genefficiency Targeted Sequencing Service to identify causative recessive mutations in patients with selected inherited disorders. Dr Wollnik said: “Using OGT’s sequencing and analysis expertise we were able to filter over 100,000 DNA variants to a single causative mutation in a matter of minutes.  We were delighted with the speed and quality of service, plus the ease-of-use of the analysis platform.”

Underpinned by exceptional bioinformatics expertise and resources, as well as independently accredited laboratory and quality control processes, OGT’s approach produces high quality data presented via a user-friendly HTML report. Intelligent data filtering mediates the identification of affected genes, while links to external databases places into context features such as insertions, deletions and single nucleotide polymorphisms. This makes it quick and easy for researchers and clinicians to extract the relevant information they require from the large data sets produced using NGS. The fact that OGT provides such a unique analysis solution, combined with the company’s leading role as part of a UK government-funded project aimed at establishing NGS-based tumour profiling, ensures that the company is already perfectly positioned to provide NGS services to clinical decision makers.