https://www.helix.com/support/about-helix
How is this different from other services that use DNA?
Helix’s proprietary technology, called Exome+, reads every letter of all 22,000 protein-coding genes in your body, which produces 100 times more data than most consumer genetics companies. By capturing this additional information, Helix can offer more products with deeper insights, and continue to work with partners to bring you new products as scientists discover more about the genome. Because Helix captures all of your data upfront, you will be able to explore and purchase new products without having to submit another saliva sample and waiting months before you can unlock further DNA insights.
What is DNA sequencing?
Think of sequencing as reading the book of your personal genetics—every base (T, C, G, and A) is read in order and saved for the future. Using a reference sequence (a model sequence to compare to), we can determine when a base in an individual is different and the specific position of that variation within your DNA.
Most consumer genetics companies use a process called genotyping to read DNA data. If sequencing is reading a book, then genotyping is like reading a few letters on a few pages. Yes, you can learn a thing or two, but you don’t get the full story. Because genotyping requires an analysis of a specific variation, each experiment has to be done one at a time. With sequencing, you’re capturing all the words on all the pages and can flip through anytime.
What is Exome+?
Our sequencing technology is called Exome+. The “exome” is comprised of all the DNA that encodes for protein—and because proteins are the machinery of your cells, the exome represents some of the most important and well-studied pieces of your DNA. But the exome is only part of your DNA story. The genetic experts at Helix have identified other important information-rich areas to sequence (hence, Exome+).
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