Shipping blood and/or isolated DNA
Sample Requirements
Our shipping address:
CeGaT GmbH
Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 23
D-72076 Tübingen
Germany
- Samples can be shipped on a daily basis by regular mail (special shipping, e.g., overnight is not required).
- If blood was taken late in the evening, the blood sample can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature overnight (do not freeze) and can be sent the next day.
- The blood sample should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
- Dried Blood Spot Kits can be requested free of charge via the contact form.
EDTA-Blood
For the analysis, 1–2 ml venous whole blood is required. The blood should be drawn into an EDTA Monovette® (purple top, EDTA tube) or equivalent, and spun lightly to avoid partial clotting. Label the Monovette with the patient’s full name, date of birth, and the date the blood was drawn.
By regular mail, please send the following items to our lab:
- Monovette
- Order Form
Lab Address:
CeGaT GmbH
Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 23
D-72076 Tübingen
Germany
Isolated DNA
Isolated DNA samples may also be sent for analysis. The DNA sample should have 2 µg genomic DNA (concentration of at least 50 ng/µl in water or puffer). Label the sample tube with the patient’s full name and date of birth.
Other Sample Specimen
For other sample specimen or questions regarding sample specimen, please contact us directly.
Declaration of Consent and Additional Documents
Please fill out the Order Form completely and send it together with your samples to ensure a rapid handling of the case.
NOTE: The signed declarations of consent of the patient (and the family members, if necessary) and the signature of the physician on the Order Form are very important.
Please note that any incomplete forms will delay the handling of your order.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Incomplete order forms
- Missing physician signature
- Missing patient data
- Missing letter of referral
- Unsolved assumption of costs
Shipping Dried Blood Spot Cards
Please follow these instructions for easy specimen shipping.
Blood Collection
Complete the order form with the informed consent and signature of the patient.
Collect the blood sample from the patient. Use regular EDTA blood tubes for collection, collect a minimum of 2 ml of blood. Mix well after obtaining the sample.
Transferring Blood to Spots
Prepare the blood cards on a clean, dry, and flat surface. Transfer 100 μl EDTA blood sample in the middle of each of the ten spots on the two blood spot cards. Complete patient name, date of birth, and date of sample collection on both blood spot cards. If you are sending more than one patient (e.g. exome trio) use two cards for each patient. You can ship all samples for one cohort in one envelope.
Drying
Dry both blood spot cards at room temperature for at least two hours. When dried, cover the filter with the paper flap.
Please do not stack or cover the blood spot cards while drying. Drying with heat (e.g. hairdryers, heating, microwave, etc.) will damage the DNA. Do not store the filtercards in the refrigerator or freezer while drying.
Shipping
Place both blood spot cards in the plastic protective sleeve for protection during transport. Remove the pink cover and close the plastic flap of the envelope.
Mail both blood spot cards and the order form(s) in the pre-addressed envelope to us.
Additional Information
- Download consent Order Forms.
- Always send a signed consent order form with every sample.
- Name and date of birth must be written on the order form and each dried blood spot card.
- Always store the blood spot cards in a dry place at room temperature. Once the sample has dried, place the card in the plastic protective sleeve. In warm and humid climates, please send cards within one week.
- Dried blood spot specimens are considered non-infectious, nonregulated, exempt materials by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the International Air Transporter Association (IATA), and the World Health Organizations (WHO). Local regulations and institutional policies must be adhered to.
How to Use DBS Cards
Valid
Pipette 100 μl of required sample or approximately 4 drops onto the circle without touching the surface of the filter paper. The circle should be filled with blood. The entire circle should be uniformly saturated but the blood spots must not be connected.
Invalid
Please avoid undersaturation or oversaturation of the card. Do not touch the surface of the filter paper.
