Research Project
9048335
? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A key challenge to the integration of genomics into the clinical setting is the ability to link genomic variation within a chromosome, i.e., to separat and characterize the two copies of a genome present in a diploid cell. This linkage process, known as haplotype phasing, is difficult to accomplish using the shortread, highthroughput sequencing technologies in routine use today. Haplotype phasing is critical for many clinical genomics interests, including linking compound heterozygote variants within diseaseassociated genes and untangling complex genomic rearrangements frequently found in cancers. Attempts to circumvent the limitations of shortread sequencing in haplotype phasing by using longerread sequencing technology are in the early stages of development and years from routine use. Given the demand for haplotype phasing in the clinical setting, new approaches that can immediately leverage proven shortread sequencing technologies are needed. Dovetail Genomics has developed and generated preliminary feasibility data for a method that generates shortread sequencing libraries for phasing haplotypes. This technique promises more complete, contiguous, and accurate haplotype characterization than existing approaches, and does so simply and affordably. In order to successfully develop the concept and continue to demonstrate feasibly, the following two goals will be met: First computational models will be used to determine the parameters required for haplotype phasing with the method, and these parameters will be tested and adjusted. Second, the method's capacity to phase haplotypes and reconstruct reference genome standards at high accuracy and completeness will be tested. Successful demonstration of feasibility will permit further development of the method with the goal of developing a commercially viable kit and complementary software analysis suite for clinical genomics.
