NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Tute Genomics and UNIConnect have signed an agreement with Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) to design the informatics behind NSO's new next-generation sequencing-based genetic testing panels.
Under the terms of the agreement, Tute will deliver a cloud-based informatics and genome interpretation system for NSO's NGS data streams. Specifically, the solution will support quality assessment, sequence read alignment, variant identification, variant annotation and visualization, data management, and multiple file type storage. Tute will deploy the system alongside a lab information management system from UNIConnect.
Financial and other details were not disclosed.
"This partnership will expand our ability to deliver high-quality results and will expand access to the latest genetic testing technology for children and adults within the province of Ontario," NSO Senior Molecular Scientist Dennis Bulman said in a statement. "Our ability to offer 'in-province' testing allows for more timely diagnosis and treatment for these rare diseases."
NSO has contracted with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to develop an NGS panel and multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification assays to diagnose a variety of disorders as part of a program to improve genetic testing in Ontario.
The first NSO panel will cover 412 nuclear encoded genes associated with various forms of mitochondrial disease. The second will cover 51 genes responsible for primary and secondary inborn errors of metabolism and 20 genes responsible for the majority of cases of severe combined immunodeficiency.
Provo, Utah-based Tute Genomics offers scalable, cloud-based genomic analysis. It recently acquired Knome and provides interpretation services for PrimBio Research Institute, Lineagen, and Patients Know.
UNIConnect is based in Sandy, Utah and offers LIMS software.