Megan Grove
Director, Genomic Medicine Programs, Medicine
All Publications
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Harmonizing standards and resources for the medical genome.
Nature
2026; 655 (8121): 47-58
Abstract
Realizing the promise of precision medicine will require the highest standards of accuracy in genome sequencing and analysis. Here we describe challenges and opportunities for the field through the lens of genome data quality. We present recommendations in the context of specific areas of application for genomic sequencing in which isolated standards have arisen: germline sequencing, tumour sequencing, cell-free DNA testing, and sequencing for quality control in genetic therapy. Despite these distinct clinical contexts, technical challenges are often similar; for example, accurately detecting low-frequency genetic variants in tumour sequencing or gene-edited cells. We call for increased synchronization among these communities to establish new medical genome standards that promote confidence in genomic diagnostics and genetic therapies in a time of rapid technology-driven change. We suggest practical approaches for implementing these genome standards across contexts, and identify key areas that require further development.
View details for DOI 10.1038/s41586-026-10621-5
View details for PubMedID 42387168
View details for PubMedCentralID 10373632
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Analytical validation of short-read genome sequencing for diagnostic panel and exome testing.
The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD
2026
Abstract
Genome sequencing is a commonly used platform for genetic disease research; however, most clinical laboratories employ enrichment-based targeted sequencing for diagnostic panels and exome testing. To facilitate the implementation of clinical genome-based panel testing, short-read genome sequencing (≥40X) was subjected to analytical validation, including single nucleotide (SNV), insertion/deletion (indel), and copy number variant (CNV) accuracy and reproducibility/repeatability, and specimen types (blood, saliva, assisted saliva). Recall and precision for SNVs/indels (<50 bp) within non-difficult genome regions across GIAB/NIST reference materials were >99.9%, and non-reference genotype concordance for SNV/indels within non-difficult RefSeq CDS regions across all reproducibility/repeatability assessments was >99%. In addition, genome sequencing of CNV (1.1-7,270 kb) control specimens had clinical sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for deletions (n=14) and duplications/triplications (n=11) of >99.9%. Non-reference genotype concordance for deletions and duplications (≥50 bp) within non-difficult genome regions across all reproducibility/repeatability assessments were >97% and >81.0%, respectively. Contamination thresholds and mosaicism detection were assessed by sequencing mixed reference material DNAs, which determined that >99% SNV/indel accuracy was maintained up to contamination levels of ∼9% and that 95% of small variants were detected at a level of ∼30% mosaicism. Taken together, these data indicate that germline SNV/indel and CNV detection by short-read genome sequencing (≥40X) is very accurate and robust, which supports its use as a platform for diagnostic genome-based panel and exome testing.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2026.05.005
View details for PubMedID 42214485
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Identification of candidate cardiomyopathy modifier genes through genome sequencing and RNA profiling.
Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine
2025; 12: 1546493
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity is apparent among individuals with putative monogenic disease, such as familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Genome sequencing (GS) allows interrogation of the full spectrum of inborn genetic variation in an individual and RNA profiling provides a snapshot of the cardiac-specific pathogenic effects on gene expression.Identify candidate genetic modifiers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype.We performed GS of 48 individuals with variants in MYH7, the gene encoding beta myosin heavy chain, and a personal or family history of cardiomyopathy. The genome sequences were annotated with a custom pipeline optimized for cardiovascular gene variant detection. We utilized multiple lines of evidence to prioritize genes together with rare variant gene-based association testing to identify candidate genetic modifiers.GS identified the MYH7 variant in all 48 cases. Several variants were reclassified based on best available data. We identified known disease-associated genes (MYBPC3, FHOD3), a priori candidate modifiers (ATP1A2, RYR2), and novel candidate modifiers of cardiomyopathy including PACSIN3 and SORBS2. We identified regulatory variants and intergenic regions associated with the phenotypes. Using RNA profiling, we show that several genes identified through gene-based association testing are differentially regulated in human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and in models of disease.Evaluation of the whole genome, even in the case of alleged monogenic disease, leads to important new insights. The identified variants, regions, and genes are candidates to modify disease presentation in cardiomyopathy.
View details for DOI 10.3389/fcvm.2025.1546493
View details for PubMedID 40791945
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12336239
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Regional Variation in Cardiovascular Genes Enables a Tractable Genome Editing Strategy.
Circulation. Genomic and precision medicine
2024: e004370
Abstract
To realize the potential of genome engineering therapeutics, tractable strategies must be identified that balance personalized therapy with the need for off-the-shelf availability. We hypothesized that regional clustering of pathogenic variants can inform the design of rational prime editing therapeutics to treat the majority of genetic cardiovascular diseases with a limited number of reagents.We collated 2435 high-confidence pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in 82 cardiovascular disease genes from ClinVar. We assessed the regional density of these variants by defining a regional clustering index. We then combined a highly active base editor with prime editing to demonstrate the feasibility of a P/LP hotspot-directed genome engineering therapeutic strategy in vitro.P/LP variants in cardiovascular disease genes display higher regional density than rare variants found in the general population. P/LP missense variants displayed higher average regional density than P/LP truncating variants. Following hypermutagenesis at a pathogenic hotspot, mean prime editing efficiency across introduced variants was 57±27%.Designing therapeutics that target pathogenic hotspots will not only address known missense P/LP variants but also novel P/LP variants identified in these hotspots as well. Moreover, the clustering of P/LP missense rather than truncating variants in these hotspots suggests that prime editing technology is particularly valuable for dominant negative disease. Although prime editing technology in relation to cardiac health continues to improve, this study presents an approach to targeting the most impactful regions of the genome for inherited cardiovascular disease.
View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCGEN.123.004370
View details for PubMedID 38506054
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Knowledge and attitudes on implementing cardiovascular pharmacogenomic testing.
Clinical and translational science
2024; 17 (3): e13737
Abstract
Pharmacogenomics has the potential to inform drug dosing and selection, reduce adverse events, and improve medication efficacy; however, provider knowledge of pharmacogenomic testing varies across provider types and specialties. Given that many actionable pharmacogenomic genes are implicated in cardiovascular medication response variability, this study aimed to evaluate cardiology providers' knowledge and attitudes on implementing clinical pharmacogenomic testing. Sixty-one providers responded to an online survey, including pharmacists (46%), physicians (31%), genetic counselors (15%), and nurses (8%). Most respondents (94%) reported previous genetics education; however, only 52% felt their genetics education prepared them to order a clinical pharmacogenomic test. In addition, most respondents (66%) were familiar with pharmacogenomics, with genetic counselors being most likely to be familiar (p < 0.001). Only 15% of respondents had previously ordered a clinical pharmacogenomic test and a total of 36% indicated they are likely to order a pharmacogenomic test in the future; however, the vast majority of respondents (89%) were interested in pharmacogenomic testing being incorporated into diagnostic cardiovascular genetic tests. Moreover, 84% of providers preferred pharmacogenomic panel testing compared to 16% who preferred single gene testing. Half of the providers reported being comfortable discussing pharmacogenomic results with their patients, but the majority (60%) expressed discomfort with the logistics of test ordering. Reported barriers to implementation included uncertainty about the clinical utility and difficulty choosing an appropriate test. Taken together, cardiology providers have moderate familiarity with pharmacogenomics and limited experience with test ordering; however, they are interested in incorporating pharmacogenomics into diagnostic genetic tests and ordering pharmacogenomic panels.
View details for DOI 10.1111/cts.13737
View details for PubMedID 38421234
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Regional Variation in Cardiovascular Genes Enables a Tractable Genome Editing Strategy
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2022: A11527
View details for DOI 10.1161/circ.146.suppl_1.11527
View details for Web of Science ID 001839855100043
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Accelerated identification of disease-causing variants with ultra-rapid nanopore genome sequencing.
Nature biotechnology
2022
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can identify variants that cause genetic disease, but the time required for sequencing and analysis has been a barrier to its use in acutely ill patients. In the present study, we develop an approach for ultra-rapid nanopore WGS that combines an optimized sample preparation protocol, distributing sequencing over 48 flow cells, near real-time base calling and alignment, accelerated variant calling and fast variant filtration for efficient manual review. Application to two example clinical cases identified a candidate variant in <8 h from sample preparation to variant identification. We show that this framework provides accurate variant calls and efficient prioritization, and accelerates diagnostic clinical genome sequencing twofold compared with previous approaches.
View details for DOI 10.1038/s41587-022-01221-5
View details for PubMedID 35347328
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Ultra-Rapid Nanopore Whole Genome Genetic Diagnosis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in an Adolescent With Cardiogenic Shock.
Circulation. Genomic and precision medicine
2022: CIRCGEN121003591
View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCGEN.121.003591
View details for PubMedID 35133172
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Ultrarapid Nanopore Genome Sequencing in a Critical Care Setting.
The New England journal of medicine
2022
View details for DOI 10.1056/NEJMc2112090
View details for PubMedID 35020984
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PPA2-associated sudden cardiac death: extending the clinical and allelic spectrum in 20 new families.
Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics
2021
Abstract
PURPOSE: Biallelic hypomorphic variants in PPA2, encoding the mitochondrial inorganic pyrophosphatase 2 protein, have been recently identified in individuals presenting with sudden cardiac death, occasionally triggered by alcohol intake or a viral infection. Here we report 20 new families harboring PPA2 variants.METHODS: Synthesis of clinical and molecular data concerning 34 individuals harboring five previously reported PPA2 variants and 12 novel variants, 11 of which were functionally characterized.RESULTS: Among the 34 individuals, only 6 remain alive. Twenty-three died before the age of 2 years while five died between 14 and 16 years. Within these 28 cases, 15 died of sudden cardiac arrest and 13 of acute heart failure. One case was diagnosed prenatally with cardiomyopathy. Four teenagers drank alcohol before sudden cardiac arrest. Progressive neurological signs were observed in 2/6 surviving individuals. For 11 variants, recombinant PPA2 enzyme activities were significantly decreased and sensitive to temperature, compared to wild-type PPA2 enzyme activity.CONCLUSION: We expand the clinical and mutational spectrum associated with PPA2 dysfunction. Heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest occur at various ages with inter- and intrafamilial phenotypic variability, and presentation can include progressive neurological disease. Alcohol intake can trigger cardiac arrest and should be strictly avoided.
View details for DOI 10.1038/s41436-021-01296-6
View details for PubMedID 34400813
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Clinical utility of genomic sequencing: a measurement toolkit.
NPJ genomic medicine
2020; 5 (1): 56
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is positioned to become one of the most robust strategies for achieving timely diagnosis of rare genomic diseases. Despite its favorable diagnostic performance compared to conventional testing strategies, routine use and reimbursement of WGS are hampered by inconsistencies in the definition and measurement of clinical utility. For example, what constitutes clinical utility for WGS varies by stakeholder's perspective (physicians, patients, families, insurance companies, health-care organizations, and society), clinical context (prenatal, pediatric, critical care, adult medicine), and test purpose (diagnosis, screening, treatment selection). A rapidly evolving technology landscape and challenges associated with robust comparative study design in the context of rare disease further impede progress in this area of empiric research. To address this challenge, an expert working group of the Medical Genome Initiative was formed. Following a consensus-based process, we align with a broad definition of clinical utility and propose a conceptually-grounded and empirically-guided measurement toolkit focused on four domains of utility: diagnostic thinking efficacy, therapeutic efficacy, patient outcome efficacy, and societal efficacy. For each domain of utility, we offer specific indicators and measurement strategies. While we focus on diagnostic applications of WGS for rare germline diseases, this toolkit offers a flexible framework for best practices around measuring clinical utility for a range of WGS applications. While we expect this toolkit to evolve over time, it provides a resource for laboratories, clinicians, and researchers looking to characterize the value of WGS beyond the laboratory.
View details for DOI 10.1038/s41525-020-00164-7
View details for PubMedID 33319814
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Informed Consent in the Genomics Era.
Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine
2019
Abstract
Informed consent, the process of gathering autonomous authorization for a medical intervention or medical research participation, is a fundamental component of medical practice. Medical informed consent assumes decision-making capacity, voluntariness, comprehension, and adequate information. The increasing use of genetic testing, particularly genomic sequencing, in clinical and research settings has presented many new challenges for clinicians and researchers when obtaining informed consent. Many of these challenges revolve around the need for patient comprehension of sufficient information. Genomic sequencing is complex-all of the possible results are too numerous to explain, and many of the risks and benefits remain unknown. Thus, historical standards of consent are difficult to apply. Alternative models of consent have been proposed to increase patient understanding, and several have empirically demonstrated effectiveness. However, there is still a striking lack of consensus in the genetics community about what constitutes informed consent in the context of genomic sequencing. Multiple approaches are needed to address this challenge, including consensus building around standards, targeted use of genetic counselors in nongenetics clinics in which genomic testing is ordered, and the development and testing of alternative models for obtaining informed consent.
View details for DOI 10.1101/cshperspect.a036582
View details for PubMedID 31570382
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Extracutaneous manifestations in phacomatosis cesioflammea and cesiomarmorata: Case series and literature review
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART A
2019; 179 (6): 966–77
View details for DOI 10.1002/ajmg.a.61134
View details for Web of Science ID 000468322800015
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A toolkit for genetics providers in follow-up of patients with non-diagnostic exome sequencing
JOURNAL OF GENETIC COUNSELING
2019; 28 (2): 213–28
View details for DOI 10.1002/jgc4.1119
View details for Web of Science ID 000463993600005
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Developing a genomics rotation: Practical training around variant interpretation for genetic counseling students
JOURNAL OF GENETIC COUNSELING
2019; 28 (2): 466–76
View details for DOI 10.1002/jgc4.1094
View details for Web of Science ID 000463993600030
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Identification of rare-disease genes using blood transcriptome sequencing and large control cohorts.
Nature medicine
2019
Abstract
It is estimated that 350 million individuals worldwide suffer from rare diseases, which are predominantly caused by mutation in a single gene1. The current molecular diagnostic rate is estimated at 50%, with whole-exome sequencing (WES) among the most successful approaches2-5. For patients in whom WES is uninformative, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has shown diagnostic utility in specific tissues and diseases6-8. This includes muscle biopsies from patients with undiagnosed rare muscle disorders6,9, and cultured fibroblasts from patients with mitochondrial disorders7. However, for many individuals, biopsies are not performed for clinical care, and tissues are difficult to access. We sought to assess the utility of RNA-seq from blood as a diagnostic tool for rare diseases of different pathophysiologies. We generated whole-blood RNA-seq from 94 individuals with undiagnosed rare diseases spanning 16 diverse disease categories. We developed a robust approach to compare data from these individuals with large sets of RNA-seq data for controls (n = 1,594 unrelated controls and n = 49 family members) and demonstrated the impacts of expression, splicing, gene and variant filtering strategies on disease gene identification. Across our cohort, we observed that RNA-seq yields a 7.5% diagnostic rate, and an additional 16.7% with improved candidate gene resolution.
View details for DOI 10.1038/s41591-019-0457-8
View details for PubMedID 31160820
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Clinical Cardiovascular Genetic Counselors Take a Leading Role in Team-based Variant Classification
JOURNAL OF GENETIC COUNSELING
2018; 27 (4): 751–60
Abstract
We sought to delineate the genetic test review and interpretation practices of clinical cardiovascular genetic counselors. A one-time anonymous online survey was taken by 46 clinical cardiovascular genetic counselors recruited through the National Society of Genetic Counselors Cardiovascular Special Interest Group. Nearly all (95.7%) gather additional information on variants reported on clinical genetic test reports and most (81.4%) assess the classification of such variants. Clinical cardiovascular genetic counselors typically (81.0%) classify variants in collaboration with cardiologist and/or geneticist colleagues, with the genetic counselor as the team member who is primarily responsible. Variant classification is a relatively recent (mean 3.2 years) addition to practice. Most genetic counselors learned classification skills on the job from clinical and laboratory colleagues. Recent graduates were more likely to have learned this in graduate school (p < 0.001). Genetic counselors are motivated to take responsibility for the classification of variants because of prior experiences with variant reclassification, inconsistencies between laboratories, and incomplete laboratory reports. They are also driven by a sense of professional duty and their proximity to the clinical context. This practice represents a broadening of the skill set of clinical cardiovascular genetic counselors and a unique expertise that they contribute to the interdisciplinary teams in which they work.
View details for PubMedID 29234989
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Clinically impactful differences in variant interpretation between clinicians and testing laboratories: a single-center experience
GENETICS IN MEDICINE
2018; 20 (3): 369–73
Abstract
PurposeTo describe the frequency and nature of differences in variant classifications between clinicians and genetic testing laboratories.MethodsRetrospective review of variants identified through genetic testing ordered in routine clinical care by clinicians in the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease. We compared classifications made by clinicians, the testing laboratory, and other laboratories in ClinVar.ResultsOf 688 laboratory classifications, 124 (18%) differed from the clinicians' classifications. Most differences in classification would probably affect clinical care of the patient and/or family (83%, 103/124). The frequency of discordant classifications differed depending on the testing laboratory (P < 0.0001) and the testing laboratory's classification (P < 0.00001). For the majority (82/124, 66%) of discordant classifications, clinicians were more conservative (less likely to classify a variant pathogenic or likely pathogenic). The clinicians' classification was discordant with one or more submitter in ClinVar in 49.1% (28/57) of cases, while the testing laboratory's classification was discordant with a ClinVar submitter in 82.5% of cases (47/57, P = 0.0002).ConclusionThe clinical team disagreed with the laboratory's classification at a rate similar to that of reported disagreements between laboratories. Most of this discordance was clinically significant, with clinicians tending to be more conservative than laboratories in their classifications.
View details for PubMedID 29240077
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Navigating Genetic and Phenotypic Uncertainty in Left Ventricular Noncompaction
CIRCULATION-CARDIOVASCULAR GENETICS
2017; 10 (4)
View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.117.001857
View details for Web of Science ID 000407730600002
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Long-read genome sequencing identifies causal structural variation in a Mendelian disease.
Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics
2017
Abstract
PurposeCurrent clinical genomics assays primarily utilize short-read sequencing (SRS), but SRS has limited ability to evaluate repetitive regions and structural variants. Long-read sequencing (LRS) has complementary strengths, and we aimed to determine whether LRS could offer a means to identify overlooked genetic variation in patients undiagnosed by SRS.MethodsWe performed low-coverage genome LRS to identify structural variants in a patient who presented with multiple neoplasia and cardiac myxomata, in whom the results of targeted clinical testing and genome SRS were negative.ResultsThis LRS approach yielded 6,971 deletions and 6,821 insertions > 50 bp. Filtering for variants that are absent in an unrelated control and overlap a disease gene coding exon identified three deletions and three insertions. One of these, a heterozygous 2,184 bp deletion, overlaps the first coding exon of PRKAR1A, which is implicated in autosomal dominant Carney complex. RNA sequencing demonstrated decreased PRKAR1A expression. The deletion was classified as pathogenic based on guidelines for interpretation of sequence variants.ConclusionThis first successful application of genome LRS to identify a pathogenic variant in a patient suggests that LRS has significant potential for the identification of disease-causing structural variation. Larger studies will ultimately be required to evaluate the potential clinical utility of LRS.GENETICS in MEDICINE advance online publication, 22 June 2017; doi:10.1038/gim.2017.86.
View details for PubMedID 28640241
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Early somatic mosaicism is a rare cause of long-QT syndrome
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
2016; 113 (41): 11555-11560
Abstract
Somatic mosaicism, the occurrence and propagation of genetic variation in cell lineages after fertilization, is increasingly recognized to play a causal role in a variety of human diseases. We investigated the case of life-threatening arrhythmia in a 10-day-old infant with long QT syndrome (LQTS). Rapid genome sequencing suggested a variant in the sodium channel NaV1.5 encoded by SCN5A, NM_000335:c.5284G > T predicting p.(V1762L), but read depth was insufficient to be diagnostic. Exome sequencing of the trio confirmed read ratios inconsistent with Mendelian inheritance only in the proband. Genotyping of single circulating leukocytes demonstrated the mutation in the genomes of 8% of patient cells, and RNA sequencing of cardiac tissue from the infant confirmed the expression of the mutant allele at mosaic ratios. Heterologous expression of the mutant channel revealed significantly delayed sodium current with a dominant negative effect. To investigate the mechanism by which mosaicism might cause arrhythmia, we built a finite element simulation model incorporating Purkinje fiber activation. This model confirmed the pathogenic consequences of cardiac cellular mosaicism and, under the presenting conditions of this case, recapitulated 2:1 AV block and arrhythmia. To investigate the extent to which mosaicism might explain undiagnosed arrhythmia, we studied 7,500 affected probands undergoing commercial gene-panel testing. Four individuals with pathogenic variants arising from early somatic mutation events were found. Here we establish cardiac mosaicism as a causal mechanism for LQTS and present methods by which the general phenomenon, likely to be relevant for all genetic diseases, can be detected through single-cell analysis and next-generation sequencing.
View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.1607187113
View details for PubMedID 27681629
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Medical implications of technical accuracy in genome sequencing.
Genome medicine
2016; 8 (1): 24-?
Abstract
As whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) transition from research tools to clinical diagnostic tests, it is increasingly critical for sequencing methods and analysis pipelines to be technically accurate. The Genome in a Bottle Consortium has recently published a set of benchmark SNV, indel, and homozygous reference genotypes for the pilot whole genome NIST Reference Material based on the NA12878 genome.We examine the relationship between human genome complexity and genes/variants reported to be associated with human disease. Specifically, we map regions of medical relevance to benchmark regions of high or low confidence. We use benchmark data to assess the sensitivity and positive predictive value of two representative sequencing pipelines for specific classes of variation.We observe that the accuracy of a variant call depends on the genomic region, variant type, and read depth, and varies by analytical pipeline. We find that most false negative WGS calls result from filtering while most false negative WES variants relate to poor coverage. We find that only 74.6% of the exonic bases in ClinVar and OMIM genes and 82.1% of the exonic bases in ACMG-reportable genes are found in high-confidence regions. Only 990 genes in the genome are found entirely within high-confidence regions while 593 of 3,300 ClinVar/OMIM genes have less than 50% of their total exonic base pairs in high-confidence regions. We find greater than 77 % of the pathogenic or likely pathogenic SNVs currently in ClinVar fall within high-confidence regions. We identify sites that are prone to sequencing errors, including thousands present in publicly available variant databases. Finally, we examine the clinical impact of mandatory reporting of secondary findings, highlighting a false positive variant found in BRCA2.Together, these data illustrate the importance of appropriate use and continued improvement of technical benchmarks to ensure accurate and judicious interpretation of next-generation DNA sequencing results in the clinical setting.
View details for DOI 10.1186/s13073-016-0269-0
View details for PubMedID 26932475
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4774017
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Sequence to Medical Phenotypes: A Framework for Interpretation of Human Whole Genome DNA Sequence Data
PLOS GENETICS
2015; 11 (10)
Abstract
High throughput sequencing has facilitated a precipitous drop in the cost of genomic sequencing, prompting predictions of a revolution in medicine via genetic personalization of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. There are significant barriers to realizing this goal that are related to the difficult task of interpreting personal genetic variation. A comprehensive, widely accessible application for interpretation of whole genome sequence data is needed. Here, we present a series of methods for identification of genetic variants and genotypes with clinical associations, phasing genetic data and using Mendelian inheritance for quality control, and providing predictive genetic information about risk for rare disease phenotypes and response to pharmacological therapy in single individuals and father-mother-child trios. We demonstrate application of these methods for disease and drug response prognostication in whole genome sequence data from twelve unrelated adults, and for disease gene discovery in one father-mother-child trio with apparently simplex congenital ventricular arrhythmia. In doing so we identify clinically actionable inherited disease risk and drug response genotypes in pre-symptomatic individuals. We also nominate a new candidate gene in congenital arrhythmia, ATP2B4, and provide experimental evidence of a regulatory role for variants discovered using this framework.
View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005496
View details for Web of Science ID 000364401600008
View details for PubMedID 26448358
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4598191
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Bayesian Selection of Modifier Genes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Through Whole Genome Sequencing
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2015
View details for Web of Science ID 000374552800296
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Molecular diagnosis of long QT syndrome at 10 days of life by rapid whole genome sequencing
HEART RHYTHM
2014; 11 (10): 1707-1713
Abstract
The advent of clinical next generation sequencing is rapidly changing the landscape of rare disease medicine. Molecular diagnosis of long QT syndrome (LQTS) can impact clinical management, including risk stratification and selection of pharmacotherapy based on the type of ion channel affected, but results from current gene panel testing requires 4 to 16 weeks before return to clinicians.A term female infant presented with 2:1 atrioventricular block and ventricular arrhythmias consistent with perinatal LQTS, requiring aggressive treatment including epicardial pacemaker, and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation and sympathectomy on day of life two. We sought to provide a rapid molecular diagnosis for optimization of treatment strategies.We performed CLIA-certified rapid whole genome sequencing (WGS) with a speed-optimized bioinformatics platform to achieve molecular diagnosis at 10 days of life.We detected a known pathogenic variant in KCNH2 that was demonstrated to be paternally inherited by followup genotyping. The unbiased assessment of the entire catalog of human genes provided by whole genome sequencing revealed a maternally inherited variant of unknown significance in a novel gene.Rapid clinical WGS provides faster and more comprehensive diagnostic information by 10 days of life than standard gene-panel testing. In selected clinical scenarios such as perinatal LQTS, rapid WGS may be able to provide more timely and clinically actionable information than a standard commercial test.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.hrthm.20l4.06.030
View details for Web of Science ID 000343112200012
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Views of genetics health professionals on the return of genomic results.
Journal of genetic counseling
2014; 23 (4): 531-538
Abstract
As exome and whole genome sequencing become clinically available, the potential to receive a large number of clinically relevant but incidental results is a significant challenge in the provision of genomic counseling. We conducted three focus groups of a total of 35 individuals who were members of ASHG and/or NSGC, assessing views towards the return of genomic results. Participants stressed that patient autonomy was primary. There was consensus that a mechanism to return results to the healthcare provider, rather than patient, and to streamline integration into the electronic health record would ensure these results had the maximal impact on patient management. All three focus groups agreed that pharmacogenomic results were reasonable to return and that they were not felt to be stigmatizing. With regard to the return of medically relevant results, there was much debate. Participants had difficulty in consistently assigning specific diseases to 'bins' that were considered obligatory versus optional for disclosure. Consensus was reached regarding the importance of informed consent and pretest counseling visits to clarify what the return of results process would entail. Evidence based professional guidelines should continue to be developed and regularly revised to assist in consistently and appropriately providing genomic results to patients.
View details for DOI 10.1007/s10897-013-9611-5
View details for PubMedID 23728783
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Clinical interpretation and implications of whole-genome sequencing.
JAMA
2014; 311 (10): 1035-1045
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly applied in clinical medicine and is expected to uncover clinically significant findings regardless of sequencing indication.To examine coverage and concordance of clinically relevant genetic variation provided by WGS technologies; to quantitate inherited disease risk and pharmacogenomic findings in WGS data and resources required for their discovery and interpretation; and to evaluate clinical action prompted by WGS findings.An exploratory study of 12 adult participants recruited at Stanford University Medical Center who underwent WGS between November 2011 and March 2012. A multidisciplinary team reviewed all potentially reportable genetic findings. Five physicians proposed initial clinical follow-up based on the genetic findings.Genome coverage and sequencing platform concordance in different categories of genetic disease risk, person-hours spent curating candidate disease-risk variants, interpretation agreement between trained curators and disease genetics databases, burden of inherited disease risk and pharmacogenomic findings, and burden and interrater agreement of proposed clinical follow-up.Depending on sequencing platform, 10% to 19% of inherited disease genes were not covered to accepted standards for single nucleotide variant discovery. Genotype concordance was high for previously described single nucleotide genetic variants (99%-100%) but low for small insertion/deletion variants (53%-59%). Curation of 90 to 127 genetic variants in each participant required a median of 54 minutes (range, 5-223 minutes) per genetic variant, resulted in moderate classification agreement between professionals (Gross κ, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.40-0.64), and reclassified 69% of genetic variants cataloged as disease causing in mutation databases to variants of uncertain or lesser significance. Two to 6 personal disease-risk findings were discovered in each participant, including 1 frameshift deletion in the BRCA1 gene implicated in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Physician review of sequencing findings prompted consideration of a median of 1 to 3 initial diagnostic tests and referrals per participant, with fair interrater agreement about the suitability of WGS findings for clinical follow-up (Fleiss κ, 0.24; P < 001).In this exploratory study of 12 volunteer adults, the use of WGS was associated with incomplete coverage of inherited disease genes, low reproducibility of detection of genetic variation with the highest potential clinical effects, and uncertainty about clinically reportable findings. In certain cases, WGS will identify clinically actionable genetic variants warranting early medical intervention. These issues should be considered when determining the role of WGS in clinical medicine.
View details for DOI 10.1001/jama.2014.1717
View details for PubMedID 24618965
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Rare Variation in Sarcomeric Genes Accompanies MYH7 Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2013: E161–E162
View details for Web of Science ID 000330353800024
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Faster REM sleep EEG and worse restedness in older insomniacs with HLA DQB1*0602
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
2011; 187 (3): 397-400
Abstract
HLA DQB1*0602 is found in most individuals with hypocretin-deficient narcolepsy, a disorder characterized by a severe disruption of sleep and wake. Population studies indicate that DQB1*0602 may also be associated with normal phenotypic variation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Disruption of REM sleep has been linked to specific symptoms of insomnia. We here examine the relationship of sleep and DQB1*0602 in older individuals (n=46) with primary insomnia, using objective (polysomnography, wrist actigraphy) and subjective (logs, scales) measures. DQB1*0602 positivity was similarly distributed in the older individuals with insomnia (24%) as in the general population (25%). Most sleep variables were statistically indistinguishable between DQB1*0602 positive and negative subjects except that those with the allele reported that they were significantly less well rested than those without it. When sleep efficiencies were lower than 70%, DQB1*0602 positive subjects reported being less well rested at the same sleep efficiency than those without the allele. Examination of EEG during REM sleep also revealed that DQB1*0602 positive subjects had EEG shifted towards faster frequencies compared with negative subjects. Thus, DQB1*0602 positivity is associated with both a shift in EEG power spectrum to faster frequencies during REM sleep and a diminution of restedness given the same sleep quantity.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.01.007
View details for Web of Science ID 000290506500014
View details for PubMedID 21292329
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3079052
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7972-0005