Abstract: Sequencing nucleic acids can identify variations associated with presence, susceptibility or prognosis of disease. However, the value of such information can be compromised by errors introduced by or before the sequencing process including preparing nucleic acids for sequencing. Blunting single-stranded overhangs on nucleic acids in a sample can introduce deamination-induced sequencing errors. The disclosure provides methods of identifying and correcting for such deamination-induced sequencing errors and distinguishing them from real sequence variations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and compositions for non-invasively detecting and/or monitoring therapeutic nucleic acid constructs in a sample comprising cell-free nucleic acids from a subject. Detection of therapeutic nucleic acid constructs in samples comprising cell-free nucleic acids allows for verifying therapeutic nucleic acid construct administration, determining the persistence or biological efficacy of the therapeutic nucleic acid construct, and/or ascertaining the efficacy of the therapy in the subject.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to computer technology for precision diagnosis of various states of genetic material such as a gene sequenced from cell-free DNA in a sample. The state may include a somatic homozygous deletion, a somatic heterozygous deletion, a copy number variation, or other states. A computer system may generate competing probabilistic models that each output a probability that the genetic material is in a certain state. Each model may be trained on a training sample set to output a probability that the genetic material is in a respective state. In some embodiments, the computer system may use various probabilistic distributions to generate the models. For example, the computer system may use a beta-binomial distribution, a binomial distribution, a normal (also referred to as “Gaussian”) distribution, or other type of probabilistic modeling techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving callings of insertions and/or deletions by identifying genetic sequence reads having identical molecular barcodes and sequences among sequence reads from a nucleic acid sequencer, grouping the genetic reads into a family, and processing families comprising split reads to detect the insertion and/or deletion in a sample of polynucleotide molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for determining the microsatellite instability status of samples. In one aspect, the methods include quantifying a number of different repeat lengths present at each of a plurality of microsatellite loci from sequence information to generate a site score for each of the plurality of the microsatellite loci. The methods also include comparing the site score of a given microsatellite locus to a site specific trained threshold for the given microsatellite locus for each of the plurality of the microsatellite loci and calling the given microsatellite locus as being unstable when the site score of the given microsatellite locus exceeds the site specific trained threshold for the given microsatellite locus to generate a microsatellite instability score, which includes a number of unstable microsatellite loci from the plurality of the microsatellite loci.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to computer technology for precision diagnosis of various states of genetic material such as a gene sequenced from cell-free DNA in a sample. The state may include a somatic homozygous deletion, a somatic heterozygous deletion, a copy number variation, or other states. A computer system may generate competing probabilistic models that each output a probability that the genetic material is in a certain state. Each model may be trained on a training sample set to output a probability that the genetic material is in a respective state. In some embodiments, the computer system may use various probabilistic distributions to generate the models. For example, the computer system may use a beta-binomial distribution, a binomial distribution, a normal (also referred to as “Gaussian”) distribution, or other type of probabilistic modeling techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving callings of insertions and/or deletions by identifying genetic sequence reads having identical molecular barcodes and sequences among sequence reads from a nucleic acid sequencer, grouping the genetic reads into a family, and processing families comprising split reads to detect the insertion and/or deletion in a sample of polynucleotide molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for determining the microsatellite instability status of samples. In one aspect, the methods include quantifying a number of different repeat lengths present at each of a plurality of microsatellite loci from sequence information to generate a site score for each of the plurality of the microsatellite loci. The methods also include comparing the site score of a given microsatellite locus to a site specific trained threshold for the given microsatellite locus for each of the plurality of the microsatellite loci and calling the given microsatellite locus as being unstable when the site score of the given microsatellite locus exceeds the site specific trained threshold for the given microsatellite locus to generate a microsatellite instability score, which includes a number of unstable microsatellite loci from the plurality of the microsatellite loci.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid sequencing includes receiving nucleic acid sequencing data from a sequencing instrument that receives and processes a sample nucleic acid in a sequencing-by-synthesis process. The method also includes generating a set of candidate sequences of bases for the observed or measured nucleic acid sequencing data by determining a predicted signal for candidate sequences using a simulation framework. The simulation framework incorporates an estimated carry forward rate (CFR), an estimated incomplete extension rate (IER), an estimated droop rate (DR), an estimated reactivated molecules rate (RMR), and an estimated termination failure rate (TFR), the RMR being greater than or equal to zero and the TFR being lesser than one. The method also includes identifying, from the set of candidate sequences of bases, a candidate sequence as corresponding to the sequence for the sample nucleic acid.

Abstract: Sequencing nucleic acids can identify variations associated with presence, susceptibility or prognosis of disease. However, the value of such information can be compromised by errors introduced by or before the sequencing process including preparing nucleic acids for sequencing. Blunting single-stranded overhangs on nucleic acids in a sample can introduce deamination-induced sequencing errors. The disclosure provides methods of identifying and correcting for such deamination-induced sequencing errors and distinguishing them from real sequence variations.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid sequencing includes receiving a plurality of observed or measured signals indicative of a parameter observed or measured for a plurality of defined spaces; determining, for at least some of the defined spaces, whether the defined space comprises one or more sample nucleic acids; processing, for at least some of the defined spaces, the observed or measured signal to improve a quality of the observed or measured signal; generating, for at least some of the defined spaces, a set of candidate sequences of bases for the defined space using one or more metrics adapted to associate a score or penalty to the candidate sequences of bases; and selecting the candidate sequence leading to a highest score or a lowest penalty as corresponding to the correct sequence for the one or more sample nucleic acids in the defined space.

Abstract: A method of estimating a parameter related to sequencing of a sample nucleic acid template includes: receiving signal data relating to nucleotide incorporation events resulting from a series of flows of nucleotides onto an array of wells including (i) a first well containing the sample nucleic acid template and (ii) a plurality of other sample-containing wells; determining sequence information for the sample nucleic acid template using signal data from the first well; and constructing a phase-state model for a set of nucleotide flows that contributed at least in part to the sequence information, wherein the model includes a signal correction parameter that is determined using signal data from the plurality of other sample-containing wells.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid sequencing includes receiving observed or measured nucleic acid sequencing data from a sequencing instrument that receives and processes a sample nucleic acid in a termination sequencing-by-synthesis process. The method also includes generating a set of candidate sequences of bases for the observed or measured nucleic acid sequencing data by determining a predicted signal for candidate sequences using a simulation framework. The simulation framework incorporates an estimated carry forward rate (CFR), an estimated incomplete extension rate (IER), an estimated droop rate (DR), an estimated reactivated molecules rate (RMR), and an estimated termination failure rate (TFR), the RMR being greater than or equal to zero and the TFR being lesser than one. The method also includes identifying, from the set of candidate sequences of bases, one candidate sequence leading to optimization of a solver function as corresponding to the sequence for the sample nucleic acid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of discrete sample portions. Each of the plurality of discrete sample portions comprising a portion of the sample, and a reaction mixture. The method further includes amplifying the plurality of discrete sample portions to form a plurality of discrete processed sample portions. At least one discrete processed sample portion containing nucleic acid amplification reaction products. Fluorescence signals are detected from the at least one of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions to determine a presence of the at least one target nucleic acid. The method also includes determining the respective volumes of the plurality of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions, and estimating the number of copies-per-unit-volume of the at least one target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid sequencing includes receiving a plurality of observed or measured signals indicative of a parameter observed or measured for a plurality of defined spaces; determining, for at least some of the defined spaces, whether the defined space comprises one or more sample nucleic acids; processing, for at least some of the defined spaces, the observed or measured signal to improve a quality of the observed or measured signal; generating, for at least some of the defined spaces, a set of candidate sequences of bases for the defined space using one or more metrics adapted to associate a score or penalty to the candidate sequences of bases; and selecting the candidate sequence leading to a highest score or a lowest penalty as corresponding to the correct sequence for the one or more sample nucleic acids in the defined space.

Abstract: A method of estimating a parameter related to sequencing of a sample nucleic acid template includes: receiving signal data relating to nucleotide incorporation events resulting from a series of flows of nucleotides onto an array of wells including (i) a first well containing the sample nucleic acid template and (ii) a plurality of other sample-containing wells; determining sequence information for the sample nucleic acid template using signal data from the first well; and constructing a phase-state model for a set of nucleotide flows that contributed at least in part to the sequence information, wherein the model includes a signal correction parameter that is determined using signal data from the plurality of other sample-containing wells.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the analysis of genotyping data are presented. According to various embodiments of methods and systems, an angle configuration search may be performed. In various embodiments, an exhaustive search over the entirety of an angle configuration space may be performed to provide a fit to a plurality of angles determined for a plurality of points in a data set generated from a plurality of biological samples. For various embodiments, the angle configuration space may be defined to ensure that a global fit may be determined. According to various methods and systems, a data base of possible angle configurations may be searched, in which each angle configuration may include three angles. According to various methods and systems, a data base of possible angle configurations may include for each angle configuration a probability that the angle configuration may occur.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making negative predictions. In some aspects, methods of determining that a first target nucleic acid variant is absent at a first genetic locus in a cell-free nucleic acid (cfNA) sample obtained from a subject having a given cancer type at least partially using a computer are provided. Certain of these methods include determining that the first target nucleic acid variant is not detected in the cfNA sample obtained from the subject, generating, by the computer, at least one tumor fraction based value; generating, by the computer, at least one mutual exclusivity value; and determining that the first target nucleic acid variant is absent at the first genetic locus in the cfNA sample using the tumor fraction based value and/or the mutual exclusivity value. Additional methods and related systems and computer readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Sequencing nucleic acids can identify variations associated with presence, susceptibility or prognosis of disease. However, the value of such information can be compromised by errors introduced by or before the sequencing process including preparing nucleic acids for sequencing. Blunting single-stranded overhangs on nucleic acids in a sample can introduce deamination-induced sequencing errors. The disclosure provides methods of identifying and correcting for such deamination-induced sequencing errors and distinguishing them from real sequence variations.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for determining the microsatellite instability status of samples. In one aspect, the methods include quantifying a number of different repeat lengths present at each of a plurality of microsatellite loci from sequence information to generate a site score for each of the plurality of the microsatellite loci. The methods also include comparing the site score of a given microsatellite locus to a site specific trained threshold for the given microsatellite locus for each of the plurality of the microsatellite loci and calling the given microsatellite locus as being unstable when the site score of the given microsatellite locus exceeds the site specific trained threshold for the given microsatellite locus to generate a microsatellite instability score, which includes a number of unstable microsatellite loci from the plurality of the microsatellite loci.