All users of the Koko Genetics DNA test have their pet's Raw Data file at their disposal. It is a highly valuable file that contains the completely raw genetic information, exactly as it is generated in our laboratory from the DNA extracted from the saliva sample.
Unlike the visual reports you find on your platform, this pure reading has not yet gone through the bioinformatic quality control that filters which variants are shown in the final analyses. Instead, it includes a complete list of the tens of thousands of genetic markers present on the genotyping array, the nucleotides your pet possesses, and their exact position in the genome.
To access your file and get the most out of it, you just need to keep in mind the following steps and technical details:
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Download path: You can get your raw data by logging into your Koko Genetics account and going to Private Area > Settings > Raw Data.
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File format: Due to the immense amount of genetic information it contains, the platform will generate a compressed file in .zip format. You just have to unzip it on your computer to access the final document, which will open in .csv or .txt format.
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How to read the document: When you open the file, you will see the information organized in columns. The third column indicates the specific position on the chromosome where that marker is located (or the probe ID). Meanwhile, the last column shows your pet's genotype for each marker, always consisting of two alleles (since mammals have two copies of each chromosome).
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Utility of the data: You can use this Raw Data file to check your pet's genotype for yourself for any specific marker present on our chip. Additionally, being a standard format, it allows you to export and input this data into external genetic platforms that accept raw files.