Why it matters
Broad sequence data can support future analyses that were not contemplated when it was collected. Storage, access, and retention decisions therefore need to consider the underlying data as well as the initial report.
A practical example
A hypothetical project sequences a sample for one research question. Years later, improved software could extract additional findings from the retained reads without collecting another sample.
An important distinction
The word whole does not promise a flawless reading of every base. Coverage, difficult regions, sample quality, and the sequencing method affect what is captured. A short clinical report also may disclose far less than the underlying files.
Sources and further reading
- PRIMARY SOURCE NCI: Whole genome sequencing
The example above is hypothetical. Related cases provide context; they do not imply that every case involved this mechanism.