Setting QC Standards in the Expanding Landscape of NGS-Based Testing

Course overview

Next generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed the practice of molecular diagnostics and is now an approach utilized across multiple disciplines, including genetics, oncology, and infectious disease. Despite its broad application, standardized quality control (QC) metrics are lacking, and little guidance is available for laboratories planning to develop their own NGS-based assays. This webinar will address key concepts of NGS necessary to establish a robust quality control program, highlight existing resources, and provide illustrative examples of preanalytical, analytical, and post-analytical considerations from a diverse set of NGS-based laboratory developed tests (LDTs), including germline sequencing, noninvasive prenatal screening, tumor sequencing, and SARS-CoV-2 testing for COVID-19. At the completion of the webinar, laboratorians will have a deeper understanding of the vast opportunities for molecular testing provided by NGS and the ability to develop or critically assess their own QC standards for NGS-based LDTs.