Baylor Genetics, a joint venture clinical diagnostic laboratory at the forefront of genetic testing, and the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine have entered into a lab agreement focusing on innovation and high-risk projects with potentially significant clinical impact. This collaboration allows for the translation of cutting-edge research into clinical diagnostics, benefiting from BCM’s academic and medical expertise and the clinical diagnostic expertise of Baylor Genetics, in anticipation of a larger scale launch when commercially feasible.
The new lab – the Medical Genetics Multi-Omics Laboratory (MGML) – launched its first clinical test, Whole Transcriptomic RNA Sequencing (WT RNAseq), which is offered by Baylor Genetics to the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) and their affiliated institutions. The UDN is a decade-long research study funded by the National Institutes of Health that brings together clinical and research experts from across the United States to solve challenging medical mysteries and gain diagnostic answers for patients with rare, undiagnosed disorders. Baylor Genetics has served as the sequencing core for the UDN since its inception in 2014, providing Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), interpretation, validation, and reporting for patients with complex and rare genetic diseases, as well as RNAseq on a research basis. Through this new relationship with MGML, Baylor Genetics will now offer clinical reporting of Whole Transcriptomic RNA sequencing.
This new test analyzes all RNA molecules expressed in skin cells or blood to identify disease-causing candidate genes that may be missed by initial WGS/WES analysis. Previous studies suggest that this combined approach may increase the diagnostic yield of WGS/WES by 10-17%.
"This exciting collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine exemplifies our commitment to providing answers for patients and providers,” said Kengo Takishima, president & CEO of Baylor Genetics. “The future of healthcare is personalized, and the addition of Whole Transcriptomic RNA Sequencing ensures we’re meeting patients where they are. We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of genomics, leveraging our deep expertise and comprehensive insights to transform healthcare and improve lives.”
Researchers at MGML intend to expand product offerings for both commercial and clinical settings – channeling Baylor Genetics’ and BCM’s legacy of discovery so patients can access testing more quickly.
“This agreement, and the MGML lab bring to life our vision of innovation,” said Dr. Brendan Lee, professor at BCM. “Baylor Genetics is turning around critical high-volume testing while maintaining our innovative edge as leaders in genomic health implementation.”
Baylor Genetics is a joint venture between Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Molecular and Human Genetics (#1 NIH-funded) and H.U. Group Holdings.
