Science & methodology
Scientific depth,stated with its limits.
Context determines meaning
The same variantcan mean different things.
A variant's meaning depends on the tumour, the stage and the treatment history. Measured, inferred and judged findings are labelled distinctly — and uncertain findings stay uncertain until the evidence changes.
Methodological principles
Six principles that run through everything
- 01
Measured, inferred and judged are different
Assay-derived findings, computational inference, experimental observation and clinical judgement are labelled distinctly.
- 02
Every claim has a boundary
Each analytical layer states what it does not establish, alongside what it produces.
- 03
Uncertainty is reported, not resolved by assumption
Uncertain findings stay uncertain until evidence changes.
- 04
Evidence has a source and a date
Interpretations are tied to their evidence source and the date it was checked.
- 05
Context determines meaning
The same variant can mean different things in different tumours, stages and treatment histories.
- 06
People decide
Analytical outputs inform the treating oncologist; they never make decisions.
Twin
A 21-layer analytical architecture
AVATAR
Computational and experimental evidence
Evidence and validation
Analytical validity, clinical validity, clinical utility — kept apart
Computational prediction
An estimate produced by an algorithm or model from available data.
Research evidence
Published or curated scientific findings, of varying strength and relevance.
Functional / experimental
Observations from laboratory or model-organism experiments, such as AVATAR's fruit-fly screening.
Retrospective observation
Patterns seen when past cases are analysed; useful but prone to bias.
Analytical validity
Does the test accurately measure what it claims to measure?
Clinical validity
Is the result reliably associated with the clinical condition or outcome of interest?
Clinical utility
Does using the result improve decisions or outcomes for patients?