How it works

From raw sequencing data
to actionable insight, in minutes

Genome Detective is designed for clarity, speed, and trust. It transforms complex NGS data into clear, interpretable results through a fully automated, cloud-based workflow. From raw reads to validated reports, every step is optimized for speed, accuracy, and transparency — without requiring bioinformatics expertise.

Whether you operate a clinical lab, research group, or public health organization, Genome Detective guides you seamlessly from data upload to decision-ready output.

A platform that grows with your workflow

Step 1: Upload your sequencing data

Simple input, flexible formats

Start by uploading your raw sequencing files (FASTQ or FASTA) directly through the secure web interface or via the API. Genome Detective supports data from all major NGS sequencers and accommodates single samples as well as large batch uploads.

  • Upload FASTQ files in seconds
  • Supports Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, Thermo Fisher and other common platforms
  • Secure, encrypted data transfer
  • Batch uploads and API access for automated pipelines

Outcome: Your data is safely ingested and prepared for analysis. No preprocessing required.

Step 2: Automated quality control & preprocessing

Clean data, reliable results

Once uploaded, Genome Detective automatically performs quality control and preprocessing to ensure reliable downstream analysis. Low-quality reads are filtered, adapters and primers removed, and datasets optimized, all without manual intervention.

  • Automated quality checks and quality reports
  • Read trimming and filtering
  • Platform-specific optimization
  • Transparent QC metrics available for review

Outcome: High-quality input data, ready for confident pathogen detection and characterization

Step 3: Intelligent pathogen detection

From unknown reads to identified species

Genome Detective’s core algorithms rapidly detect, classify, and subtype viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Using advanced homology-based methods and proprietary technologies such as AGA (Advanced Genome Aligner), the platform identifies both known and novel pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity.

  • Broad-spectrum pathogen detection
  • Automated virus typing and lineage assignment for some species
  • Identification of recombinant and divergent genomes
  • Robust performance on mixed or low-abundance samples, even when diverged from the reference database

Outcome: Accurate identification and classification of pathogens — even when standard tools fall short.

Step 4: Genome reconstruction, typing and variant analysis

Deep insight beyond identification

For detected pathogens, Genome Detective reconstructs genomes and performs detailed variant and mutation analysis. This enables strain differentiation, evolutionary insight, and functional interpretation.

  • Full or partial genome assembly
  • Variant calling and minority mutation reporting
  • Functional annotation of genomic regions
  • Comparative analysis across samples
  • Automated virus typing and lineage assignment
  • Identification of recombinant and divergent genomes

Outcome: Actionable genomic insight to support clinical applications, research, or surveillance.

Step 5: Interpretable repots & visual results

Results you can trust, and explain

All findings are translated into clear, structured reports with intuitive visualizations. Results are designed to be interpretable by laboratory professionals, clinicians, and researchers alike.

  • Clear summaries and detailed result layers
  • Interactive visualizations and tables
  • Exportable reports (PDF, CSV, JSON)
  • Audit-friendly output for regulated environments

Outcome: Decision-ready results that are easy to review, share, and validate.

Step 6: Integration, sharing & follow-up

Fit seamlessly into your workflow

Genome Detective is built to integrate into existing laboratory, research, and surveillance ecosystems. Results can be shared securely, exported to public databases, or fed into downstream analysis pipelines.

  • API access for LIMS and bioinformatics workflows
  • Secure data sharing with collaborators
  • Support for public databases (e.g. GISAID, NCBI, ENA)
  • Scalable from single samples to large surveillance programs

Outcome: A platform that grows with your workflow, from individual analyses to global programs.

Why users trust Genome Detective

Data security and privacy are built into the platform. Genome Detective is designed to meet the expectations of regulated environments without compromising usability.

Transparent,
interpretable results
Designed for validation
and compliance
Proven in clinical, research,
and public health settings
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Visit us

Duigemhofstraat 101,
3020 Herent, Belgium

Enterprise number: 0895941983

Opening hours

Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (CET)

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This project has received funding from the European Union's research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement 634650 and 101000570.

Genome Detective is a research-use-only (RUO) bioinformatics platform for pathogen genomics.

Genome Detective - 2026