In a recent DECODED Online article,  scientists at Geneseeq Technology, Inc., a cancer diagnostics company, demonstrate improved target capture methods for increasing reliability of next generation sequencing data, particularly important for clinical diagnostics.

The scientists’ insights cover use of blocking oligos, optimizing hybridization conditions, and getting the most out of formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples.

Geneseeq provides clinicians with guided treatment solutions for cancer, based on comprehensive, systematic analysis of patients’ genomic mutations. The company was an early adopter of IDT’s xGen^® Lockdown^® Probes and uses these with xGen^® Blocking Oligos to capture specific regions of cancer patients’ DNA for sequencing. Identification of cancer-promoting genetic defects helps clinicians make informed decisions about which therapies are suitable for individual patients. The company gained valuable experience from close collaboration with IDT scientists during probe development and protocol optimization. The optimized protocol is available on the IDT website.

Full of helpful suggestions and compelling results, the article will be of particular benefit to researchers who are establishing their target capture protocols. The scientists also present the reasons behind their choice of target capture product and sequencing platform.

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