Quality Control & Transparency
Blueprint Genetics is committed to providing the highest-quality genetic testing for our customers.
To communicate our testing quality effectively, we provide all relevant data on our website for each individual panel and test type to allow our customers to openly audit our offering.
Our compilation of in-depth quality data in each test report enables the clinician to directly evaluate the test’s performance and have confidence that all actionable information has been provided when deciding the clinical follow-up.
Being fully transparent, Blueprint Genetics is setting a high standard for genetic testing. We invite our customers to join the effort of improving the diagnostics of inherited disorders for the benefit of the patients.
You can read more about the Transparency at Blueprint Genetics by following the links in the table below:
Quality Management System
The Quality Management System of Blueprint Genetics is designed to adapt the commonly used principles of effective quality management.
Analytic Validation
Whole exome sequencing (WES)
Analytic validity of our genetic tests has been demonstrated for SNVs, INDELs, as well as CNVs utilizing reference samples with high-quality variant calls and clinical samples.
Results from our Analytic validation can be found under each test page on our website.
Quality Control
Blueprint Genetics participates in proficiency testing programs, such as CAP and EMQN. In addition, Blueprint Genetics has an internal Quality Control system, which consists of management of facilities, equipment, materials, and software, as well as in-process quality control of methods, examinations, and data analysis. Quality control sample DNA is added to each diagnostic sequencing test and sequence coverage is monitored and evaluated for each sample. Results of the test are accepted if >98% of target regions are covered with at least 20x sequencing depth and the control sample in the sequencing run shows the required sensitivity to detect SNVs (>0.995) and INDELs (>0.950).
Variant Confirmation
The final step in the analysis is orthogonal confirmation. Sequence variants classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are confirmed using bi-directional Sanger sequencing when they do not meet our stringent NGS quality metrics for a true positive call. Reported heterozygous and homo-/hemizygous copy number variations with a size <10 and <3 exons are confirmed by orthogonal methods such as dPCR if the specific CNV has been seen and confirmed less than 3 times at Blueprint Genetics.
Variant Interpretation and Clinical Statement
Blueprint Genetics’ policy for variant classification is based on published ACMG guidelines. Blueprint Genetics delivers comprehensive clinical statements including detailed interpretation of key findings. All of our reports include a summary of the clinical history, a detailed description of the methodology, and a clear summary of the identified, relevant variants following international best practice guidelines (CMGS / ACMG). It also includes carefully weighed interpretation of the genotype-phenotype associations with links to the cited publications and recommendations for family screening. At Blueprint Genetics, we are continuously improving our testing processes to meet your patient’s needs with the most valuable diagnostic service.