Clinical genetic diagnostics has become a standard tool of genetic research and disease management. Success of genomic science in the past few years, combined with incredible surge in public interest, let to the new breakthroughs in diagnostics, which opened the new levels of disease understanding and new opportunities in prevention and treatment. Twist Biosciences provides important instruments for the clinical-grade genetic testing. This talk will discuss the alignment between Twist probe capture products and Sema4’s oncology program, both at the germline (inherited cancer) and somatic (tumor oncology) levels. Certification by the New York State Department of Health serves as a validation of Twist technology being applied in the clinical diagnostic environment.  

"Pet dogs are a powerful spontaneous model for human cancers. Dogs develop the same cancers that humans do, with striking similarities at the clinical, histopathological, and genomic level. We have developed a new Twist canine exome capture with a focus on comparative cancer applications, and are applying it to develop blood biopsy in the canine model. Blood biopsy is a non-invasive method for measuring and sequencing cell-free tumor DNA in the bloodstream, with exciting potential applications for longitudinal patient monitoring and diagnosis. By refining blood biopsy in dogs, we hope to inform its application in both veterinary and human medicine.  

Maartje Geerlings | Radboud