How is whole genome sequencing different from a regular DNA test?

Standard consumer tests use genotyping, which checks specific pre-selected locations, like reading every 10th word in a book. Whole genome sequencing reads the entire genome, every base pair, gene, and regulatory region, so it captures variants genotyping chips do not include.

What does 30x coverage mean?

At 30x coverage, each position in your genome is read an average of 30 times, which lets the analysis confidently distinguish real variants from sequencing noise. It is the clinical-grade standard used in research and medical settings.

Does my whole-genome data expire?

No. Because the full genome is sequenced, your data can be re-analyzed as the science evolves and new gene-health connections are discovered, without needing a new test.

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What Whole Genome Sequencing Tells You That Other DNA Tests Don't

Most consumer DNA tests read a few hundred thousand pre-selected markers. Whole genome sequencing reads all 3 billion base pairs, at 30x depth. That difference is what unlocks precise insights into methylation, detox, hormones, and more.

By Mosaic BiodataFebruary 19, 20261 min read

Most consumer DNA tests read a few hundred thousand pre-selected data points; whole genome sequencing reads all 3 billion base pairs of your DNA — and at Mosaic, at 30x depth. That difference in coverage is exactly what unlocks precise insights into how your body actually works.

Coverage matters

Standard DNA tests use a method called genotyping. They check specific, pre-selected locations on your genome, like reading every 10th word in a book. It works for some things (ancestry, a handful of health markers), but it misses a lot in between.

Whole genome sequencing reads the entire book. Every base pair, every gene, every regulatory region. And Mosaic uses 30x coverage, which means every section of your genome is read an average of 30 times for accuracy.

What this unlocks

With full sequencing, we can analyze gene variants that genotyping chips simply don't include. That means more precise insights into things like methylation efficiency, detoxification pathways, hormone metabolism, and micronutrient needs, areas where a single variant can meaningfully shift how your body works.

It also means your data doesn't expire. As the science evolves and new gene-health connections are discovered, your full genome can be re-analyzed without needing a new test.

Why CLIA certification matters here

The quality of the sequencing itself is just as important as the method. Mosaic uses a CLIA-certified lab, which means the process meets the same standards used for clinical diagnostic testing. It's the same level of rigor your doctor's lab uses, applied to your entire genome.

108 insights, one test

From that single cheek-swab sample, Mosaic generates 108 personalized insights across 9 areas of your health. Everything from your caffeine metabolism to your ideal sleep duration to how your body processes estrogen. It's not a snapshot; it's a comprehensive map of your biology. If you want the technical comparison underneath this, see whole genome sequencing vs SNP arrays.

Keep exploring: the Insights Library breaks down the 108 traits Mosaic reads from your DNA, and the reports show how they come together.