Public health, biosecurity and industry communities are both driving and benefitting from advancements in genomics research with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Whole genome sequencing is now ubiquitous and produces terabytes of data for processing, interpretation and – potentially – action. Signature Science’s bioinformatics (genome and transcriptome) expertise, genomics research (massively parallel sequencing and whole genome sequencing) and synthetic biology capabilities, together, are driving innovative solutions in this space.
Biosecurity Applications
DNA synthesis technologies are enabling rapid advancements in the field of synthetic biology, which involves the design and fabrication of novel biological components. The immense promise of DNA synthesis technology is unmistakable, but so is its potential for intentional or accidental misuse. Biosecurity professionals and genome engineers can use Signature Science’s bioinformatics workflows and tools and biocuration services to identify sequences of concern and root out potential threats.
Public Health Applications
Signature Science uses sequencing and bioinformatics workflows to study the detailed genome of pathogens, the function of the genome’s segments, and their interactions with hosts. We can detect a wider variety of pathogens and gain better understanding of pathogen characteristics such as virulence, stability and antimicrobial resistance. Signature Science is using synthetic biology techniques to establish a laboratory model of viral evolution for pandemic viruses to offer public health entities a tool to support the prediction of evolutionary pathways and phenotypes of viral threats.
Krista Ternus, PhD
Genomics Specialist
For more information about Biosecurity and Public Health Applications:
Genetics Applications
Inferring familial relationships between individuals using genetic data is a common practice in population genetics, medical genetics, and forensic genealogy. SNP-based kinship analysis with genome-wide relationship estimation and identity by descent (IBD) segment analysis methods produce results that often require further processing and manipulation. Genetics researchers use Signature Science’s bioinformatics workflows and tools to support the downstream processing of results from kinship analysis methods.
VP Nagraj
Senior Data Scientist
For more information about Genetic Applications: