Every sample we received is treated with care at our very own DNA processing laboratory based in Hong Kong with international quality standards and effective protocols in place for handling samples and DNA test processes. Read on for details on what happens to your DNA sample every step of the way when it arrives at our laboratory.
Step 1: Inventory and Visual Inspection
When your sample arrives at our laboratory, it is entered into the lab's inventory system and this triggers a notification email to inform you that we have received your DNA sample. Your sample is visually inspected by our lab technicians. Occasionally, a sample does not pass this step due to reasons such as leakage in transit. In such cases, we contact you and ship a replacement kit to collect a new sample. Samples that have not been registered will require you to register first before we can ship a replacement kit.
Step 2: DNA Extraction
After your sample passes the visual inspection, DNA is extracted from the sample. Your cells are broken open and genomic DNA is extracted from buccal cells, fragmented and prepared into Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) libraries. If satisfactory results cannot be yielded from the first and second attempt at DNA extraction, we contact you and ship a replacement kit to collect a new sample.
Step 3: DNA Analysis
Samples submitted for the Circle DNA tests are analysed using Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES) which is capable of reading protein-coding genes in your exome to analyse 31 million data points. Circle carries out analysis for up to two attempts if the first attempt fails. If a second attempt at analysis fails, we contact you and ship a replacement kit to collect a new sample.
Step 4: Report Generation
Upon successful analysis of your DNA, your results are interpreted to generate a user-friendly and actionable personalised report just for you!
All Circle Exome Series test samples are first processed in our own proprietary laboratory based in Hong Kong with international quality standards and effective protocols in place for handling samples and DNA test processes. We have had external validation completed by The Croucher Laboratory for Human Genomics (CLHG), with proven analytical accuracy of 99.9%+.