PLANES: Plausibility Analysis of Epidemiological Signals
Abstract: Methods for reviewing epidemiological signals are necessary to building and maintaining data-driven public health capabilities. We have developed a novel approach for assessing the plausibility of infectious disease forecasts and surveillance data. The PLANES (PLausibility ANalysis of Epidemiological Signals) methodology is designed to be multi-dimensional and flexible, yielding an overall score based on individual component assessments that can be applied at various temporal and spatial granularities. Here we describe PLANES, provide a demonstration analysis, and discuss how to use the open-source rplanes R package. PLANES aims to enable modelers and public health end-users to evaluate forecast plausibility and surveillance data integrity, ultimately improving … MORE
An Interview with Friends who Found Each Other Through Forensic Science
In October, we sat down with Natalie Collins, Belinda Reyes, and Samantha Guigliemi, analysts in our Forensic Laboratory in Austin, TX. These three share a close friendship that has flourished in their time a Signature Science. We wanted to get … MORE
IARPA Awards Signature Science $3.8M for Phase 2 of TEI-REX Program
Signature Science will optimize the performance of its novel biodosimetry approach developed in Phase 1 AUSTIN, TEXAS – September 3, 2024 – The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has selected the team led by Signature Science to advance to Phase … MORE
SigSci will use proprietary sample preparation technology and proven workflows to detect unknown RNA and DNA viruses simultaneously. AUSTIN, TEXAS — August 27, 2024 — In the wake of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, public health officials have made it a priority … MORE
MixDeR: A SNP Mixture Deconvolution Workflow for Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Abstract: The generation of forensic DNA profiles consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is now being facilitated by wider adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods in casework laboratories. At the same time, and in part because of this advance, there is an intense focus on the generation of SNP profiles from evidentiary specimens for so-called forensic or investigative genetic genealogy (FGG or IGG) applications. However, FGG methods are constrained by the algorithms for genealogical database searches, which were designed for use with single-source profiles, and the fact that many forensic samples are mixtures. To enable the use of two-person mixtures for … MORE
HORIZON Newsletter – August 2024
How are the words we use when delivering expert witness testimony understood by the average member of a jury? What impact might television shows depicting the criminal justice system and 24/7 access to news reporting have on the average jury … MORE
Contract reflects the continued expansion of the Texas-based forensic DNA laboratory’s participation in nationwide sexual assault kit backlog reduction efforts. AUSTIN, TEXAS – July 30, 2024– Signature Science, LLC has been awarded a one-year, $1.2 million contract from the city of … MORE
Signature Science Analysts Performed DNA Analysis and Provided Expert Witness Testimony. AUSTIN, TEXAS – May 28, 2024 – The Washington D.C. Superior Court has found a defendant guilty in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in October 2022, due … MORE
Abstract: Unbiased long read sequencing holds enormous potential for the detection of pathogen sequences in clinical samples. However, the untargeted nature of these methods precludes conventional PCR approaches, and the metagenomic content of each sample increases the challenge of bioinformatic analysis. … MORE
Abstract: Unbiased long read sequencing approaches for clinical metagenomic sample analysis holds enormous potential for pathogen detection, including improved detection of unknown, novel or emerging viruses. However, the rapid rate of development in nanopore sequencing and library preparation methods complicates the … MORE
HORIZON Newsletter – April 2024
Signature Science is excited to be able to offer our lowest pricing for your cold case sample processing using Kintelligence! From now until September 30, you can capitalize on our volume pricing, even if you have one or a just a … MORE