Copy-Number Variants Detection by Low-Pass Whole-Genome Sequencing

Emerging studies have demonstrated that whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is an efficient tool for copy-number variants (CNV) detection, particularly in probe-poor regions, as compared to chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). However, the cost of testing is beyond economical for routine usage and the lengthy turn-around time is not ideal for clinical implementation. In addition, the demand for computational resources also reduces the probability of clinical integration into each laboratory. Herein, a protocol providing CNV detection from low-pass, whole-genome sequencing (0.25×) in a clinical laboratory setting is described. The cost is reduced to less than $200 USD per sample and the turn-around time is within an acceptable clinically workable time-frame (7 days). © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.