Applications of NGS technology

NGS technology detects and tests cancer mutations by identifying multiple targets, Tumor mutation heterogeneity, and Targeted therapy.

FREMONT, CA: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an emerging technology for DNA and RNA sequencing and mutation detection and testing. NGS sequences large quantities of genes and the entire genome at a lesser time. NGS's sequence variation helps disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decisions.

NGS has the advantages of unique sequencing chemistries, different sequencing matrices, and bioinformatics technology. Its massive parallel sequencing can sequence large lengths of DNA and genome in short periods through DNA fragmentation, library preparation, massively parallel sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and variant/mutation annotation and interpretation.

The advantages of NGS broaden its scope in the following areas:

Targets: NGS can sequence multiple targets using a smaller amount of targets. The results of hundreds of DNA targets are acquired from one test. In cancer treatment, NGS uses a specific range of tumors that can have multiple mutations. Traditional methods test each of these mutations. More tissues are needed to test mutations. NGS limits the number of mutations necessary on a smaller amount of tissue.

NGS is an important tool in personalized precision medicine as it provides information for disease diagnostic classification, selection of therapeutic agents, and prognostic evaluation. Massive parallel sequencing allows NGS technology to test multiple samples and targets simultaneously. It increases the turnaround time of molecular tests.

Whole-genome sequencing: Whole-genome sequencing uses clinical settings for constitutional genetic diseases and some rare genetic diseases. NGS technology identifies genetic diseases, but molecular tests have not identified any specific mutations. Whole genome sequencing provides additional information in terms of disease-associated mutations.

Tumor mutation heterogeneity: Cancers can have multiple mutations for a single tumor originating from single or multiple clones. NGS identifies multiple gene mutations that need to be tested often in follow-ups.

Targeted therapy: NGS identifies targets when used for diagnosing cancer. It can locate targets for targeted therapy and identify a high-risk population for certain hereditary cancers. Different cancers can have different types of mutations. Targeted therapy identifies mutations that are not always specific to cancers. NGS identifies different mutation targets for cancers.