Deliverables & reports

D1.3 Training modules, guidance document and online help module for collection of phenotypes

In order to engage users with Solve-RD and facilitate their contribution of phenotypic data to the project, we have developed training materials and have carried out training activities, which will continue in time. We have set up a practical guide to PhenoTips data entry, provided an in-depth YouTube video with instructions, organized our first training webinar for ERNs (available here) and created an option for uploading phenotype data using an Excel template. In addition, further support to researchers is provided by one-to-one tele-conferences for PhenoTips usage and by answering any queries they have through help@rd-connect.eu.

Deliverable report D1.3

D1.4 Deployment of PhenoTips custom forms according to the ERNs specifications

This deliverable report describes the adaptations and customisations CNAG-CRG have carried out in PhenoTips to allow for the collation of phenotype data tailored to each ERN and disease group. Users can enter data individually for each proband and family member through one of the customized templates, import information using JSON schemas or provide a filled-in Excel template for bulk upload.

Deliverable report D1.4

D1.5 Guidelines for collection of experimental data

This deliverable report provides information on the guidelines that have been developed for experimental data collection for Solve-RD. These guidelines aim to aid and facilitate all data upload from all Solve-RD collaborators and ensure high quality standards are met.

Deliverable report D1.5

D1.10 Adaptation of BOQA algorithm to its use in the ontology of unsolved RD

WP1 not only aims to collect standardized phenotypic information from unsolved rare disease (RD) cases, but also aims to transform their phenotypic descriptions into diagnostic hypotheses. One of the proposed means to produce these diagnostic hypotheses is calculating a numerical similarity value that reflects how well the phenotype information of an unsolved case aligns with other solved or unsolved cases as well as how well it overlaps with known rare diseases.
In this report we present a software tool we developed and that adapts several algorithms to calculate the degree of similarity between unsolved cases and known diseases using solved cases. The results of this tool will be imported directly into the ontology of rare unsolved cases (RDCO).
We have tested the tool and implemented algorithms on 107 PhenoPackets obtained from solved cases. We identified two algorithms that show superior performance on this relatively small test set and were able to run this tool on Orphanet computers.

Deliverable report D1.10

D1.12 4 workshops, videoconferences and jamborees for hands-on discussion on diagnostic hypothesis

A series of 4 jamborees was organised in order to discuss the results of a proposed methodology based on phenotypic similarity calculations and reanalysis of genomic information provided by ERNs’ clinicians on GPAP. Jamborees were organised by selecting a solved case presented by the data submitter and further discussed with regard to the consistency with a known rare disease (RD), with the ultimate goal to give a clinical diagnosis or, if inconsistent, to consider the emergence of a new RD by clustering with similar cases. In addition, a cascade of similarity calculations allowed for reanalysing unsolved cases for candidate genes and discussing these cases with the clinicians. Even if an estimation of the overall performance of this approach cannot be reported, it allowed to correctly identify variants in solved cases, and to raise new hypotheses deserving further investigation in at least 7 unsolved cases, and other cases are still to be discussed with the clinicians as there was not enough time to present them all. Out of these promising results, the methodology was validated and next steps generalising and standardising the method were decided. Selected unsolved and solved but yet clinically undiagnosed cases will be the object of the next series of jamborees.

Deliverable report D1.12

D2.3 Guidelines for Quality Control metrics

Solve-RD has collated over 8,400 standardised phenotypic and genomic datasets from partners across different ERNs and countries. To ensure best practices and standardisation of the process, HPO, OMIM and Orphanet (ORDO) ontologies are used to collect phenotypic data, and GATK best practices and GA4GH standards are followed in the collection and processing of genomic data through a standardised pipeline (Laurie et al., 2016 here).
As data submitted to Solve-RD for reanalysis has been sequenced at a variety of different centres, under different protocols and using different technologies it is fundamental to ensure a minimum quality of geno-pheno datasets to guarantee proper downstream analyses and results. Therefore, several quality control metrics have been established, and are now automatically performed for each of the samples entering the Solve-RD project.

Here we report on the established framework for quality assessment (processing checkpoints, genome coverage metrics, phenotypic data and sample relatedness) for RD-Connect and Solve-RD data and provide guidelines to enable Solve-RD data submitters and Data Analysis Task Force (DATF) members to easily assess the quality of the provided data and compare genomic datasets before undertaking further downstream analyses.

Deliverable report D2.3

D2.5 Report on new matchmaking strategies

Matchmaking technologies cover a very specific data findability need by enabling the discovery of individuals with similar phenotypes and/or potential causative genetic variants, among others. Solve-RD has contributed to the development and implementation of several matchmaking strategies which are now available to the consortium but can also be deployed in other settings. The RD-Connect Genome Phenome Analysis Platform (GPAP) is connected to the MatchMaker Exchange network (MME), which enables users, including all Solve-RD partners, to query for individuals with similar symptoms and/or candidate disease genes within the GPAP (internal matchmaking), and against four external databases: PhenomeCentral, DECIPHER, GeneMatcher, and MyGene2. The PhenoStore module allows the users to find individuals with specific categories within the RD-Connect GPAP. The CohortApp module enables the users to create in-silico cohorts according to certain search criteria; such cohorts can then be used to launch genetic queries within the RD-Connect GPAP analysis module. Finally, powerful search, discovery and matchmaking capabilities are provided through RD3/Sandbox and Discovery Nexus.

Deliverable report D2.5

D3.1 Publication: EBCD findings in at least 2 different HCPs including in one ERN

The communication of genomic results to patients and families with rare diseases raise distinctive challenges. However, there is little evidence about optimal methods to communicate results to this group of service users. To address this gap, we worked with rare disease families and health professionals from two genetic/genomic services, one in the United Kingdom and one in the Czech Republic, to co-design that best meet their needs. Using the participatory methodology of Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD), we conducted observations of clinical appointments (n=49) and interviews with family participants (n=23) and health professionals
(n=22) to gather their experience of sharing/receiving results. The findings informed a facilitated co-design process, comprising 3 feedback events at each site and a series of meetings and remote consultations. Participants identified a total of four areas of current service models in need of improvement, and co-designed six prototypes of quality improvement
interventions. The main finding was the identification of post-test care as the shared priority for improvement for both health professionals and families at the two sites. Our findings indicate the need to strengthen the link between diagnostics (whether or not a pathogenic variant is found) and post-test care, including psychosocial and community support. This raises
implications for the reconfigurations of genomic service models, the redefinition of professional roles and responsibilities and the involvement of rare disease patients and families in health care research.

Deliverable report D3.1

D3.2 Publication: Synthesis of existing studies assessing cost effectiveness and clinical utility of WES/WGS

This report is the deliverable of Solve-RD WP3, task 3, objective A “Perform a systematic review to gain insight into currently ongoing clinical utility studies for genomics strategies and their conclusions”. It has been led by Christine Peyron and Aurore Pélissier from the Health Economics Team of the Laboratoire d’Economie de Dijon (University of Burgundy).
The report sets out: (i) the work done to organise the conference proposed in Objective A; (ii) the summary of the research presented at the conference.
In addition to reporting on the work by the Dijon Health Economics Team, it provides a fairly complete overview of the issues and research currently being developed in the social sciences with respect to genomic medicine.

Deliverable report D3.2

D3.5 Treatabolome database

The Treatabolome: flagging treatable genes and variants. The database will be connected to the RD-Connect GPAP platform and made accessible as part of the real-time analysis of patients undergoing sequencing or exome analysis within Solve-RD as a proof of concept for the utility of the approach.

Deliverable report D3.5

D3.8 First summer school for ePAGs delivered

This deliverable report covers the first edition of the EURORDIS Winter School, the capacity building training programme for rare disease patient representatives on scientific innovation and translational research, which was held at the Imagine Institute for Genetic Diseases in Paris from 19-23 March 2018.

Deliverable report D3.8

D3.9 Second training for ePAGs delivered

This deliverable report covers the second edition of the EURORDIS Winter School, the capacity building training programme for rare disease patient representatives on scientific innovation and translational research, which was held at the Imagine Institute for Genetic Diseases in Paris, France from 11-15 March 2019.

Deliverable report D3.9

D4.3 Central RD-Connect database serving Solve-RD, including user authentication and authorization

Solve-RD will employ the RD-Connect Genome-phenome Analysis Platform (GPAP) to pool and enable controlled access to a large number of harmonised and integrated datasets from unsolved rare disease cases. This deliverable report describes the actions taken to ensure GPAP is serving Solve-RD, including steps for user authentication and authorization and how researchers can share their data.

Deliverable report D4.3

D4.5 Metadata catalog operational, with initial content

In order for the resources that are contributed to and will be developed during the Solve-RD project a discovery system was required. Such a system is being developed based on proven technologies and a suitable set of standards. This deliverable focuses on the building of an initial version of the system, based on the Café Variome platform, for asset discovery called RD-NEXUS (Rare Disease Network for EXploring the UNseen). In order to build the system, a working data model for an agreed set of parameters (termed 'findable facets’) was defined and integrated in to a data model. APIs allowing interoperability with other systems were also developed in collaboration with the GA4GH. Exemplar data have been processed and entered into the current RD-NEXUS system to illustrate its functionality and highlight any potential issues, before being demonstrated to potential users within the ERN networks. A complete first version of RD-NEXUS was thereby created, and is now available for demonstration and testing.

Deliverable report D4.5

D4.7 All foundational standards selected and implemented across the project

Underpinning all activities at Solve-RD, from data submission, quality control, data dissemination to appropriate resources, discovery and finally distribution, a set of defined standards are required to ensure smooth and efficient data flow and interoperability between resources within Solve-RD and external resources. This deliverable focuses on defining and implementing the set of standards required to facilitate these processes, and here we describe how these standards have been established and implemented across Solve-RD.

Deliverable report D4.7

D4.8 Complete Solve-RD bioinformatics platform operational

As a cornerstone for the success of Solve-RD in terms of solving unsolved rare disease cases, a critical objective is to reuse, enhance and deploy existing solutions for core analytics support, databasing, data discovery, and data sharing. Here we describe the overall Solve-RD data workflow, and how the different components of the Solve-RD bioinformatics platform connect to facilitate the process of solving unsolved cases. The workflow includes data submission, management, analysis and interpretation processes in the RD-Connect Genome-Phenome Analysis Platform (GPAP); raw and processed data archiving at the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA, Hinxton, UK); data analysis and directory structures; and the functionalities of the Rare Disease Data about Data database (RD3) and Discovery Nexus.

Deliverable report D4.8

D5.1 Bespoke Phenotips frontends for associated ERNsand undiagnosed disease programmes

This report provides information on the new clinical submission forms designed and implemented in GPAP-PhenoStore, the phenotypic module of the RD-Connect Genome-Phenome Analysis Platform (GPAP). These templates have been designed in collaboration with clinical experts from Solve-RD WP1 and in alignment with Genomics England data models. This implementation facilitates the collation and future portability of structured clinical information of unsolved patients from associated ERNs and undiagnosed disease programs.

Deliverable report D5.1

D5.2 3.500 collected data sets from associated ERNs and undiagnosed disease programmes

Solve-RD has four core European Reference Networks (ERNs): ITHACA, EURO-NMD, RND and GENTURIS. The core ERNs have provided the bulk of data for re-analysis within Solve-RD. Solve-RD has also worked since its conception with the Undiagnosed Disease Programmes/Networks (UDPs/UDNs) from Spain and Italy. During the project, two ERNs have become associated with Solve-RD: EpiCare and RITA. 2,932 datasets in total have been provided by UDN-Spain, ERN-EpiCare, ERN-RITA and other ERNs as part of data freezes 1 to 3. This data has already been processed and is available to the consortium members. Further data is still being submitted as part of data freeze 4.

Deliverable report D5.2

D5.4 Guidelines for molecular genetics of rare disorders

New diagnostic whole genome sequencing (WGS) guidelines for rare genetic disorders have been prepared and published by Erika Souche et al. ESHG 2022.

Deliverable report D5.4

D6.4 Solve-RD communication and dissemination tools

This deliverable report includes the Solve-RD communication and dissemination plans and describes the tools Solve-RD uses to implement both.

Deliverable report D6.4