Abstract: Described herein are methods of preparing dual-indexed nucleic acid libraries for methylation profiling using bisulfite conversion sequencing. In various embodiments, the methods use a two-step indexing process to tag bisulfite-treated DNA with unique molecular identifiers (UMIs).

Abstract: Size-band analysis is used to determine whether a chromosomal region exhibits a copy number aberration or an epigenetic alteration. Multiple size ranges may be analyzed instead of focusing on specific sizes. By using multiple size ranges instead of specific sizes, methods may analyze more sequence reads and may be able to determine whether a chromosomal region exhibits a copy number aberration even when clinically-relevant DNA may be a low fraction of the biological sample. Using multiple ranges may allow for the use of all sequence reads from a genomic region, rather than a selected subset of reads in the genomic region. The accuracy of analysis may be increased with higher sensitivity at similar or higher specificity. Analysis may include fewer sequencing reads to achieve the same accuracy, resulting in a more efficient process.

Abstract: Detecting cross-contamination between test samples used for determining cancer in a subject is beneficial. To detect cross-contamination, test sequences including at least one single nucleotide polymorphism are prepared using genome sequencing techniques. Some of the test sequences can be filtered to improve accuracy and precision. A prior contamination probability for each test sequence is determined based on a minor allele frequency. A contamination model including a likelihood test is applied to a test sequence. The likelihood test obtains a current contamination probability representing the likelihood that the test sample is contaminated. The contamination model can also determine a likelihood that the sample includes loss of heterozygosity representing the likelihood that the test sequence is contaminated. Test samples that are contaminated are removed. A source for the contaminated test sample can be found by comparing contaminated test sequences to other test sequences.

Abstract: A method and system for determining one or more sources of a cell free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) test sample from a test subject. The cfDNA test sample contains a plurality of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules with numerous CpG sites that may be methylated or unmethylated. A trained deconvolution model comprises a plurality of methylation parameters, including a methylation level at each CpG site for each source, and a function relating a sample vector as input and a source of origin prediction as output. The method generates a test sample vector comprising a site methylation metric relating to DNA molecules from the test sample that are methylated at that CpG site. The method inputs the test sample vector into the trained deconvolution model to generate a source of origin prediction indicating a predicted DNA molecule contribution of each source.

Abstract: A method for training a convolutional neural net for contamination analysis is provided. A training dataset is obtained comprising, for each respective training subject in a plurality of subjects, a variant allele frequency of each respective single nucleotide variant in a respective plurality of single nucleotide variants, and a respective contamination indication. First and second subsets of the plurality of training subjects have first and second contamination indication values, respectively. A corresponding first channel comprising a first plurality of parameters that include a respective parameter for a single nucleotide variant allele frequency of each respective single nucleotide variant in a set of single nucleotide variants in a reference genome is constructed for each respective training subject.

Abstract: Technical solutions for classifying patients with respect to multiple cancer classes are provided. The classification can be done using cell-free whole genome sequencing information from subjects. A reference set of subjects is used to train classifiers to recognize genomic markers that distinguish such cancer classes. The classifier training includes dividing the reference genome into a set of non-overlapping bins, applying a dimensionality reduction method to obtain a feature set, and using the feature set to train classifiers. For subjects with unknown cancer class, the trained classifiers provide probabilities or likelihoods that the subject has a respective cancer class for each cancer in a set of cancer classes. The present disclosure thus describes methods to improve the screening and detection of cancer class from among several cancer classes. This serves to facilitate early and appropriate treatment for subjects afflicted with cancer.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for analyzing circular DNA in a biological sample (e.g., including cell-free DNA, such as plasma). For example, to measure circular DNA, cleaving can be performed to linearize the circular DNA so that they may be sequenced. Example cleaving techniques include restriction enzymes and transposases. Then, one or more criteria can be used to identify linearized DNA molecules, e.g., so as to differentiate from linear DNA molecules. An example criterion is mapping a pair of reversed end sequences to a reference genome. Another example criterion is identification of a cutting tag, e.g., associated with a restriction enzyme or an adapter sequence added by a transposase. Once circular DNA molecules (e.g., eccDNA and circular mitochondrial DNA) are identified, they may be analyzed (e.g., to determine a count, size profile, and/or methylation) to measure a property of the biological sample, including genetic properties and level of a disease.

Abstract: Diagnostic devices and methods are provided for screening for a disease condition, including a cancer condition or a mendelian disease. The diagnostic devices allow for in vivo contact of cell-free nucleic acids or circulating tumor cells. The diagnostic device has a needle with a body and a detection reaction module attached to the body.

Abstract: A computer platform is provided that permits selling users to list items for sale and to allow a number of experts to review and verify authenticity of these items. In some embodiments, the system may be capable of queuing items to be listed within a management system, and experts are permitted to review particular items. Also, it is appreciated that certain experts have particular expertise to evaluate items of certain types, and therefore, in some implementations, the system is configured to more accurately match experts with particular items to be reviewed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to applications (e.g., classification of biological samples) of the analysis of the count, the fragmentation patterns, and size of cell-free nucleic acids, e.g., plasma DNA and serum DNA, including nucleic acids from pathogens, such as viruses. Embodiments of one application can determine if a subject has a particular condition. For example, a method of present disclosure can determine if a subject has cancer or a tumor, or other pathology. Embodiments of another application can be used to assess the stage of a condition, or the progression of a condition over time. For example, a method of the present disclosure may be used to determine a stage of cancer in a subject, or the progression of cancer in a subject over time (e.g., using samples obtained from a subject at different times).

Abstract: Methods are provided to improve the positive predictive value for cancer detection using cell-free nucleic acid samples. Various embodiments are directed to applications (e.g., diagnostic applications) of the analysis of the fragmentation patterns and size of cell-free DNA, e.g., plasma DNA and serum DNA, including nucleic acids from pathogens, including viruses. Embodiments of one application can determine if a subject has a particular condition. For example, a method of present disclosure can determine if a subject has cancer or a tumor, or other pathology. Embodiments of another application can be used to assess the stage of a condition, or the progression of a condition over time. For example, a method of the present disclosure may be used to determine a stage of cancer in a subject, or the progression of cancer in a subject over time (e.g., using samples obtained from a subject at different times).

Abstract: Methods for preparing sequencing libraries from a DNA-containing test sample, as well as methods for correcting sequencing-derived errors, are provided.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a sequencing library from a DNA-containing test sample are provided. In some embodiments, the methods involve rescuing a partially ligated DNA fragment to enhance library preparation conversion efficiencies. In some embodiments, the methods involve improving recovery of duplex sequence information from double-stranded DNA.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include detecting a presence or absence of HPV in a biological sample having cell-free nucleic acids from a subject and potentially cell-free nucleic acids from an HPV strain. Based on a detection of HPV viral nucleic acids in the biological sample, an HPV-based multiclass classifier that predicts a score for each HPV-associated cancer type is applied. The HPV-based multiclass classifier is trained on a training set of HPV-positive cancer samples. An HPV-associated cancer associated with the biological sample is determined based on the scores predicted by the HPV multiclass classifier.

Abstract: Size-band analysis is used to determine whether a chromosomal region exhibits a copy number aberration or an epigenetic alteration. Multiple size ranges may be analyzed instead of focusing on specific sizes. By using multiple size ranges instead of specific sizes, methods may analyze more sequence reads and may be able to determine whether a chromosomal region exhibits a copy number aberration even when clinically-relevant DNA may be a low fraction of the biological sample. Using multiple ranges may allow for the use of all sequence reads from a genomic region, rather than a selected subset of reads in the genomic region. The accuracy of analysis may be increased with higher sensitivity at similar or higher specificity. Analysis may include fewer sequencing reads to achieve the same accuracy, resulting in a more efficient process.

Abstract: Methods for determining a disease condition of a subject of a species are provided that comprises obtaining a dataset of fragment methylation patterns determined by methylation sequencing of nucleic acid from a biological sample of the subject. A fragment methylation pattern comprises the methylation state of each CpG site in the fragment. A patch including a channel comprising parameters for the methylation status of respective CpG sites in a set of CpG sites in a reference genome represented by the patch is constructed by populating, for each respective fragment in the plurality of fragments that aligns to the set of CpG sites, an instance of all or a portion of the plurality of parameters based on the methylation pattern of the respective fragment. Application of the patch to a patch convolutional neural network determines the disease condition of the subject.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods for preparing an enriched sequencing library. In some embodiments, the methods involve preparing a sequencing library that is enriched for AT-rich sequences. In certain embodiments, the methods involve determining a presence or an absence of cancer, determining a cancer stage, monitoring cancer progression, and/or determining a cancer classification in a subject by analyzing an enriched sequencing library.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a sequencing library from a DNA-containing test sample are provided, including methods for rescuing one or more partially ligated DNA fragments to enhance library preparation conversion efficiencies. The subject methods can further be used to improve recovery of duplex sequence information from double-stranded DNA.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to methods for preparing and analyzing a sequencing library from a mixed cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sample, wherein the mixed sample includes double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), damaged dsDNA (e.g., nicked dsDNA), and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules. The subject methods facilitate the collection of information from dsDNA, ssDNA and damaged DNA (e.g., nicked DNA) molecules in a sample, thereby providing enhanced diagnostic information as compared to sequencing libraries that are prepared from dsDNA alone.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to methods and compositions for preparing and analyzing a single-stranded sequencing library from a double-stranded DNA (e.g., double-stranded cfDNA) sample. In some embodiments, the sample includes double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules, and damaged dsDNA (e.g., nicked dsDNA) molecules. In some embodiments, the sample includes single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules. The subject methods facilitate the collection of information, including strand-pairing and connectivity information, from dsDNA, ssDNA and damaged DNA (e.g., nicked DNA) molecules in a sample, thereby providing enhanced diagnostic information as compared to sequencing libraries that are prepared using conventional methods.