What type of DNA testing do you do?
What Type of DNA Testing Does SelfDecode Use?
At SelfDecode, we use a DNA testing method called genotyping, which is a quick and reliable way to find genetic variations in your DNA. Instead of reading every single letter of your DNA, genotyping focuses on specific spots in your genetic code called SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). SNPs are small changes in DNA that can influence traits like hair color, eye color, and even certain health-related factors.
How Our Genotyping Works
We use a specialized genotyping chip to analyze hundreds of thousands of common SNPs in your DNA. After this, we apply a technique called imputation to estimate additional SNPs—bringing the total number of analyzed SNPs to over 80 million. Imputation predicts variations at SNPs we haven’t directly analyzed by making educated guesses based on your other genotyped SNPs. This allows us to give you a comprehensive view of your genetic profile without needing to analyze every SNP individually.
Why Genotyping?
Genotyping is highly accurate and cost-effective, making it a great choice for personal DNA analysis. By focusing on specific genetic points, we can quickly detect genetic variants. To ensure top-notch accuracy, we control our genotyping process closely and double-check results using advanced technology, so your results are reliable.
What About Whole Genome Sequencing?
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) reads every single letter in your DNA, including both common and rare variants. While it offers a complete picture, WGS is much more time-consuming and expensive. Our genotyping process, however, provides fast and affordable insights, ideal for most people’s needs. WGS may be an option for those with specific health questions or the resources for a more detailed genetic readout.
What Level of Coverage Do You Offer?
Coverage levels, like “30x” or “100x,” are terms used for Whole Genome Sequencing, which we don’t perform. Our focus is on genotyping, as described above, to offer you accessible, quality genetic information.
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