Helix is an American population

genomics Genomics is an interdisciplinary field of molecular biology focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes. A genome is an organism's complete set of DNA, including all of its genes as well as its hierarchical, ...

company.

History

Helix focuses on personal genomics and citizen science. Helix has a marketplace that offers applications created by approved partners. Helix handles sample collection,

DNA sequencing DNA sequencing is the process of determining the nucleic acid sequence – the order of nucleotides in DNA. It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the order of the four bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. The ...

, and secure data storage and partners develop on-demand products. Helix is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and operates a sequencing laboratory in San Diego. In 2016, Helix partnered with the

National Geographic Society The National Geographic Society, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, natural sc ...

to sequence DNA for the

Genographic Project The Genographic Project, launched on 13 April 2005 by the National Geographic Society and IBM, was a Molecular anthropology, genetic anthropological study (sales discontinued on 31 May 2019) that aimed to map historical human migrations patter ...

. In 2018, Helix partnered with the Desert Research Institute and Renown Institute of Health Innovation in support of the Healthy Nevada project, which offers free access to genomic sequencing to 40,000 residents of northern Nevada for health research.

Sequencing methodology

Helix uses NGS to sequence a proprietary assay called Exome+, a version of

Exome sequencing Exome sequencing, also known as whole exome sequencing (WES), is a genomic technique for sequencing all of the protein-coding regions of genes in a genome (known as the exome). It consists of two steps: the first step is to select only the subs ...

which according to the company provides 100 times more data than was previously available. Exome+ includes all 22,000 protein-coding genes as well as additional regions known to be of interest. All samples are processed in Helix’s CLIA- and

CAP A cap is a flat headgear, usually with a visor. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. The origin of the word "cap" comes from the Old French word "chapeau" which means "head co ...

-accredited sequencing lab powered by Illumina NGS technology, using the Exome+ assay.

References

{{Reflist, colwidth=30em Genomics companies Biotechnology companies of the United States

History

Sequencing methodology

See also

References