How to Download and Upload Raw DNA Data from MyHeritage, Nebula Genomics, and Other Services

Not everyone tests with 23andMe or AncestryDNA. MyHeritage, Nebula Genomics, FamilyTreeDNA, Living DNA, and several other companies offer DNA testing — and each one gives you access to your raw genetic data. If you have tested with any of these services, you can download your raw data and upload it to ChatDys for analysis relevant to dysautonomia, POTS, MCAS, EDS, and related conditions.

This guide covers the download process for the most common alternative testing services and explains the key differences in file formats you may encounter.

Understanding the Two Types of DNA Raw Data

Before diving into specific services, it is important to understand that consumer DNA tests fall into two broad categories, each producing a very different type of raw data file:

1. SNP Genotyping (Microarray) — Most Consumer Tests

Services like MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, and Living DNA use the same microarray chip technology as 23andMe and AncestryDNA. They read a set of pre-selected positions (SNPs) across your genome — typically 500,000 to 700,000 positions — and report your genotype at each one.

The resulting raw data file is a plain-text, tab-separated .txt or .csv file that contains columns for rsID, chromosome, position, and genotype. These files are small (5–25 MB compressed), widely supported by analysis tools, and directly compatible with ChatDys.

2. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) — Nebula Genomics and Others

Services like Nebula Genomics, Dante Labs, and Genome Medical offer whole genome sequencing — a fundamentally different technology that reads your entire genome, not just pre-selected positions. WGS produces much larger files in specialized bioinformatics formats:

For ChatDys analysis, the VCF (Variant Call Format) file is the most useful WGS output, as it lists your genetic variants in a structured format that can be cross-referenced against research databases. ChatDys accepts VCF files from WGS providers.

MyHeritage DNA

MyHeritage is a popular genealogy and DNA testing platform with a large European user base. Its raw data format is very similar to AncestryDNA.

What the File Looks Like

MyHeritage delivers raw data as a .zip archive containing a .csv file typically named:

MyHeritage_raw_dna_data.csv

MyHeritage_raw_dna_data.csv

The file uses comma-separated values with four columns: RSID, CHROMOSOME, POSITION, and RESULT (where RESULT contains the combined genotype, e.g., AA).

How to Download

1. Log in to your MyHeritage account at myheritage.com.
2. Hover over the DNA tab in the top navigation and click "Manage DNA kits".
3. Find your DNA kit in the list. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) on the right side of your kit.
4. Select "Download" from the dropdown.
5. MyHeritage will ask you to confirm your identity via email. Check your inbox for a confirmation message and click the link inside it.
6. Return to the Manage DNA kits page and click "Download" again. Your .zip file will begin downloading immediately.

Note: If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder. MyHeritage sometimes requires re-confirmation if you have not downloaded recently.

Uploading to ChatDys

MyHeritage .zip files are directly compatible with ChatDys. Simply upload the .zip file — you do not need to unzip it first.

FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA)

FamilyTreeDNA is one of the oldest consumer DNA testing companies and is particularly popular for Y-DNA and mtDNA testing. Its autosomal DNA test (Family Finder) also produces raw data compatible with ChatDys.

What the File Looks Like

FTDNA delivers raw data as a .zip archive containing a .csv file. The format is similar to other microarray providers, with columns for RSID, CHROMOSOME, POSITION, RESULT1, and RESULT2 (two separate allele columns, similar to AncestryDNA).

How to Download

1. Log in to your FTDNA account at familytreedna.com.
2. Click on your name in the upper-right corner and select "Account Settings".
3. Navigate to the "Raw Data" section (sometimes listed under the "DNA Results" tab).
4. Click "Download Raw Data". You may be asked to confirm via email.
5. Once confirmed, click the download link to save the .zip file.

Living DNA

Living DNA is a UK-based testing company known for detailed regional ancestry breakdowns, particularly for British and Irish heritage. It also provides raw data compatible with standard analysis tools.

What the File Looks Like

Living DNA delivers raw data as a .zip archive containing a .csv file. The format follows the standard four-column structure (rsID, chromosome, position, genotype).

How to Download

1. Log in at livingdna.com.
2. Click on your profile icon and navigate to "Account" or "My DNA".
3. Look for the "Download your data" option, typically found in the Settings or Privacy section.
4. Confirm your identity if prompted and download the .zip file.

Nebula Genomics

Nebula Genomics offers 30x whole genome sequencing, which provides far more comprehensive genetic data than microarray tests. However, the file formats are significantly different and require an additional step before uploading to ChatDys.

What Files You Will Receive

After sequencing, Nebula provides several file types in your account:

The VCF file is what you need for ChatDys. It is typically around 100–500 MB and contains all positions where your genome differs from the human reference sequence.

How to Download Your VCF File

1. Log in to your Nebula Genomics account at nebula.org.
2. Navigate to "My Data" or "Genome Files" in your account dashboard.
3. Find the VCF file in the list. If it shows as archived, click "Unarchive" and wait for it to become available (this can take a few hours).
4. Once available, click "Download" next to the VCF file.

File size note: VCF files from Nebula are typically 100–500 MB. Ensure you have a stable internet connection before downloading.

Uploading Your VCF to ChatDys

ChatDys accepts VCF files from whole genome sequencing providers. Upload your .vcf or .vcf.gz file through the Genetics → Upload Raw DNA tab. Processing a WGS VCF file takes slightly longer than a microarray file due to the larger number of variants, but the analysis covers a much broader range of SNPs.

Dante Labs and Other WGS Providers

Dante Labs, Veritas Genetics, and similar whole genome sequencing providers also produce VCF files that are compatible with ChatDys. The download process varies by provider but generally follows the same pattern: log in, navigate to your results or data section, and look for a VCF download option.

If your provider offers a "filtered VCF" (containing only variants that differ from the reference) alongside a "gVCF" (which includes all positions), use the standard VCF for ChatDys — it is smaller and contains the relevant variant data.

Comparing File Formats Across Providers

What If I Have Tested with Multiple Companies?

If you have tested with more than one company, you can upload data from each one to ChatDys. Because different microarray chips cover different SNP sets, combining data from multiple providers can increase the number of relevant variants identified. ChatDys will merge the results and flag any overlapping variants.

For users who have both microarray data (e.g., 23andMe) and whole genome sequencing data (e.g., Nebula), the WGS VCF will generally supersede the microarray data for any overlapping positions, since WGS provides direct sequencing rather than a chip-based estimate.

Uploading to ChatDys: Step-by-Step

Regardless of which provider your data comes from, the upload process in ChatDys is the same:

1. Navigate to the Genetics section in the ChatDys sidebar.
2. Click the "Upload Raw DNA" tab.
3. Click "Choose File" and select your raw data file (.zip, .txt, .csv, or .vcf).
4. Click "Upload & Analyze".

ChatDys automatically detects the file format and provider, parses the data, and cross-references your variants against a curated database of SNPs studied in the context of dysautonomia, POTS, MCAS, EDS, Fibromyalgia, Long COVID, and related conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

My provider is not listed here. Can I still upload? If your provider gives you a standard .txt, .csv, or .vcf file with rsID, chromosome, position, and genotype columns, ChatDys will likely be able to parse it. Try uploading — if the format is not recognized, contact ChatDys support.

I have a FASTQ or BAM file from Nebula. Can I use that? FASTQ and BAM/CRAM files require specialized bioinformatics processing to convert to VCF format. This is beyond the scope of ChatDys's upload tool. If you have only FASTQ or BAM files, contact Nebula support to request your VCF file, or use a tool like Avanti by Dante Labs to convert FASTQ to VCF.

Is WGS data better than microarray data for health analysis? WGS covers your entire genome rather than a pre-selected set of positions, so it can identify variants that microarray chips miss. However, for the specific SNPs studied in dysautonomia and related conditions research, both data types are generally sufficient. WGS becomes more valuable as research expands to cover rarer variants.

What if my file is too large to upload? ChatDys accepts files up to 500 MB. Standard microarray files are well within this limit. WGS VCF files are typically under 500 MB. If your file exceeds this limit, contact ChatDys support for assistance.

This article is for informational purposes only. Raw genetic data is not a medical test and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment decisions. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or genetic counselor for medical guidance.