Illumina TruPath genome towards comprehensive high-resolution analysis of genomic diversity and structural complexity
Abstract A single genomic assay that delivers complete information across variant classes remains an aspirational goal. Currently, researchers and clinicians rely on an inefficient, expensive combination of short-read sequencing for single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small indels, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) arrays for copy number variants (CNVs), and optical mapping and long-read sequencing for complex rearrangements, limiting the full potential of genomic discovery. To address these issues, TruPath Genome provides a one-test-for-all solution. By combining PCR-free whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with proximity-mapped read technology, it achieves high-resolution detection of SNVs and indels alongside long-range phasing for CNVs and structural variant (SV) refinement. We applied TruPath Genome on six clinical samples that were previously resolved by conventional methods. Across the cohort, TruPath Genome delivered coverage and variant-calling performance comparable to conventional WGS while achieving superior long-range phasing and enabling precise breakpoint resolution for clinically relevant structural events. This highlights TruPath Genome’s potential to consolidate genomic testing pipelines, accelerate diagnosis, and expand access to advanced genomic insights. Furthermore, its ultra-long-range data facilitates telomere-to-telomere assemblies and pangenome development, advancing our understanding of genome biology at an unprecedented scale.
Authors
- Antonina Rita Limongi
- Elena Parrini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8933-7694)
- Matteo Orlandi
- Filippo Lucchini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4767-2899)
- Giada Carta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8417-1242)
- Melissa Sambrotta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4311-4281)
- Massimo Delledonne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7100-4581)
- Davide Mei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6790-6251)
- Drew Ellershaw (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8803-2490)
- Jacqui Weir
- Aurelia Iuliana Timis
- Sean Humphray
- Luca Bertoli
- Qing Zhang
- Renzo Guerrini
Institutions
- University of Verona (IT)
- Meyer Children's Hospital (IT)
- Illumina (United Kingdom) (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Genomic Medicine
- Published
- 2026-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41525-026-00610-y
- Primary Topic
- Genomics and Rare Diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00