BGI × geneticlab · United Arab Emirates

Comprehensive tumour genomic profiling for UAE oncology teams

SENTIS™ is BGI's NGS oncology portfolio: from 20-gene medication guidance panels to an 816-gene pan-cancer profile with TMB, MSI, HRR and hereditary risk in a single workflow. Ordered through geneticlab, with local sample logistics and clinical support.

Laboratory scientist loading a sequencing flow cell at geneticlab

816

cancer-related genes on Cancer+ Discovery

360+

therapies covered in variant interpretation

0.5%

limit of detection for ctDNA

CE

marked detection reagents

Why SENTIS

One assay where PCR, IHC and FISH stop short

Beyond hotspot testing

PCR reads known hotspots only, FISH a handful of copy-number events, IHC protein-level markers. SENTIS™ reads SNVs, indels, CNVs and fusions in one capture-based NGS assay.

Pan-cancer biomarkers included

TMB shows 96% concordance with whole-exome sequencing, and MSI is called across 1,137 microsatellite sites with 100% concordance against the gold-standard method.

Somatic and germline together

Cancer+ Discovery includes 72 genes for hereditary cancer risk and 74 HRR genes, so family risk and PARP-inhibitor eligibility come out of the same report.

Tissue or liquid biopsy

When tissue is exhausted or the tumour needs monitoring over time, the ctDNA version profiles the same content from peripheral blood.

The portfolio

Choose the depth the case needs

Focused medication-guidance panels for defined tumour types, or full pan-cancer discovery when the case is complex, rare or resistant.

Pan-cancer · tissue or ctDNA

SENTIS™ Cancer+ Discovery

816 cancer-related genes across a 1.89 Mb panel, covering actionable somatic and germline variants plus TMB, MSI, HRR and immune-checkpoint content for solid tumours.

816 genes (1.89 Mb panel)

Focused · tissue

SENTIS™ Lung Cancer Medication Guidance

Targeted therapy guidance for non-small cell lung cancer, covering the biomarkers approved by the FDA and recommended in NCCN guidelines.

50 genes

Focused · tissue

SENTIS™ Colorectal Cancer Medication Guidance

Guideline-aligned biomarker testing for colorectal cancer treatment selection.

23 genes

Focused · tissue

SENTIS™ Gastric Cancer Medication Guidance

Biomarker profiling for gastric cancer therapy decisions.

20 genes

Focused · tissue

SENTIS™ GIST Medication Guidance

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour panel covering the variants that drive treatment and resistance decisions.

20 genes

See full specifications

How it runs

From order to report

  1. 01

    Physician orders

    Order through geneticlab with the request form and clinical history. Our team helps match the case to the right panel.

  2. 02

    Sample collected

    Fresh or FFPE tumour tissue, biopsy, extracted DNA, or peripheral blood for the ctDNA and germline-control workflow.

  3. 03

    Sequenced and analysed

    Capture-based NGS with UMI chemistry, deep coverage and BGI's curated variant-interpretation pipeline.

  4. 04

    Report to the physician

    A clinically structured report with variant-level therapeutic relevance, plus a review call with our genetics team on request.

The collaboration

BGI science, delivered locally by geneticlab

BGI Genomics develops and runs the SENTIS™ assays and the interpretation database behind them. geneticlab is the UAE partner: ordering, sample collection and shipping, clinician support, genetic counselling and report delivery in English and Arabic.

  • Local ordering and logistics from our Sharjah laboratory
  • Case discussion with our genetics team before and after testing
  • Bilingual reporting support for patients and families

FAQ

Questions from clinicians and patients

10 questions

Which sample types are accepted?Testing

Fresh or biopsy tumour tissue, FFPE sections, or extracted DNA. Peripheral blood is used as a germline control, and for the ctDNA workflow it is the primary sample. Bone samples are not accepted.

What if there is no tissue left after diagnosis?Testing

The liquid biopsy version of Cancer+ Discovery profiles circulating tumour DNA from blood, with a 0.5% limit of detection, so profiling is still possible without a new biopsy.

Does the test cover immunotherapy biomarkers?Testing

Yes. Cancer+ Discovery reports tumour mutational burden and microsatellite instability, plus 32 genes associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Can it detect hereditary cancer risk?Testing

Cancer+ Discovery includes 72 genes associated with hereditary cancer risk. Findings that suggest a germline variant are followed up with confirmatory testing and genetic counselling.

What does the report contain?Results

Detected SNVs, indels, CNVs and fusions with clinical annotation, TMB and MSI status where applicable, and therapies from FDA labels, NCCN guidelines and clinical trials, drawn from BGI's curated drug database of 360+ therapies.

How reliable are the TMB and MSI calls?Results

BGI reports 96% concordance between its TMB result and whole-exome sequencing, and 100% concordance with the gold-standard method for MSI across 1,137 microsatellite sites.

Can we discuss the report with a specialist?Results

Yes. geneticlab arranges a case review with our genetics team, and can involve BGI's scientific team for complex profiles.

How do we order in the UAE?Ordering

Contact geneticlab with the tumour type and clinical question. We confirm the right panel, send the request form and sample requirements, and arrange collection or courier pickup.

What is the turnaround time and price?Ordering

Turnaround and pricing depend on the panel and sample type. geneticlab confirms both in writing before the sample is processed.

How is patient data handled?Privacy

Samples and data are processed under UAE health data regulations and geneticlab's laboratory policies. Reports are released to the ordering physician and the patient.

Discuss a case

Send us the tumour type and clinical question and we will recommend a panel, sample requirements and next steps.