Nebula Genomics started in 2016 to much fanfare with offering free genomic sequencing and blockchain technology to protect DNA test results.
Their first offering of an 0.4x WGS test was not considered viable for genetic genealogy use and so never really appeared here. But in early 2020, they have introduced a 30x WGS test for sub-$500 that is expected to compete well with Dante Labs in this sub-$500 full sequencing space. And thus we now list the company, track their activity and work to incorporate their results in our studies here.
Also key to their new announcement of a 30x WGS product is a tie-up with traditional vendor FamilyTreeDNA. FTDNA's parent is providing the kit shipping and receiving and sample prep for Nebula. (FTDNA)), by early internal reporting from the companies involved, will provide access to transfer in WGS results directly into their yDNA BigY and mtDNA phylogenetic tree and SNP matches sites. As well as inclusion in their FamilyFinder autosomal SNP matches service. The FTDNA y111 STR product cannot be completely and reliably read from the NGS technique and so is not expected to be included as part of this partnership and data transfer. This is the first tie-up between a traditional genetic genealogy company and WGS testing. It is not yet known if there will be any changes, from FTDNA or Nebula for this tie-up.
Nebula has separately arranged for sequencing by BGI Genomics in their CLIA-registered, CAP accredited Hong Kong testing laboratory. (Both FGC and Dante Labs started with this service with poor delivery as a result; so not clear yet if things have changed.) Significantly different this time is Nebula is getting access to the new MGI DNBSEQ-T7 DNA sequencing machines that provide 30x, 150 base-pair read length WGS on a par with the Illumina Novaseq 6000 used by many other labs. This as opposed to the earlier rendition used by Dante Labs and others that was a 100 base pair service. Both sequencers are products from the BGI Complete Genomics subsidiary in California.
As with Dante Labs, Nebula plans to offer full Sequencing File Format results delivery of FASTQ, BAM and VCF files; all using a GRCh38 version of the human genome reference model. Like early genetic genealogy companies, Nebula does require a subscription for access to reports on your data. But they claim your RAW results data (i.e. sequencing file format data) will be accessible without a subscription. One does have to subscribe to order the test but can then cancel once receiving the results. A recent change in their model does not start the subscription until the product results are delivered (i.e. sequencing files). So the minimum subscription cost is $19 for one month and must be incorporated into any cost.
Nebula was started by Harvard University Medial School professor George Church and his genetic laboratory colleagues. The real goal, given when formed, is to provide a platform for researchers to do new drug discovery. Similar to 23andMe in that regard.
Their first offering of an 0.4x WGS test was not considered viable for genetic genealogy use and so never really appeared here. But in early 2020, they have introduced a 30x WGS test for sub-$500 that is expected to compete well with Dante Labs in this sub-$500 full sequencing space. And thus we now list the company, track their activity and work to incorporate their results in our studies here.
Also key to their new announcement of a 30x WGS product is a tie-up with traditional vendor FamilyTreeDNA. FTDNA's parent is providing the kit shipping and receiving and sample prep for Nebula. (FTDNA)), by early internal reporting from the companies involved, will provide access to transfer in WGS results directly into their yDNA BigY and mtDNA phylogenetic tree and SNP matches sites. As well as inclusion in their FamilyFinder autosomal SNP matches service. The FTDNA y111 STR product cannot be completely and reliably read from the NGS technique and so is not expected to be included as part of this partnership and data transfer. This is the first tie-up between a traditional genetic genealogy company and WGS testing. It is not yet known if there will be any changes, from FTDNA or Nebula for this tie-up.
Nebula has separately arranged for sequencing by BGI Genomics in their CLIA-registered, CAP accredited Hong Kong testing laboratory. (Both FGC and Dante Labs started with this service with poor delivery as a result; so not clear yet if things have changed.) Significantly different this time is Nebula is getting access to the new MGI DNBSEQ-T7 DNA sequencing machines that provide 30x, 150 base-pair read length WGS on a par with the Illumina Novaseq 6000 used by many other labs. This as opposed to the earlier rendition used by Dante Labs and others that was a 100 base pair service. Both sequencers are products from the BGI Complete Genomics subsidiary in California.
As with Dante Labs, Nebula plans to offer full Sequencing File Format results delivery of FASTQ, BAM and VCF files; all using a GRCh38 version of the human genome reference model. Like early genetic genealogy companies, Nebula does require a subscription for access to reports on your data. But they claim your RAW results data (i.e. sequencing file format data) will be accessible without a subscription. One does have to subscribe to order the test but can then cancel once receiving the results. A recent change in their model does not start the subscription until the product results are delivered (i.e. sequencing files). So the minimum subscription cost is $19 for one month and must be incorporated into any cost.
Nebula was started by Harvard University Medial School professor George Church and his genetic laboratory colleagues. The real goal, given when formed, is to provide a platform for researchers to do new drug discovery. Similar to 23andMe in that regard.
External Links
- Press Coverage of the new $299 WGS product from Nebula
- Nebula Genomics website (Portal for accessing data)