Sample requirements and test request card

Genetics laboratories

The laboratory handles a range of sample types which are listed with their specifc requirements below.

If testing of other sample types is required, please contact the laboratory.

Request card

Samples must be accompanied by a FULLY completed request card including the consent section. The requester’s name and contact details must be legible.

Genetics request card (20 KB)

Please note that inadequate information on the referral card may cause unnecessary delays in sample processing.

Labelling

All patient samples must be labelled with:

name
date of birth
NHS number / hospital number.

Inappropriately labelled or unlabelled samples will not be accepted.

Consent

All genetic testing requires consent. It is the responsibility of the referring clinician to ensure appropriate consent has been obtained.

DNA from all referrals is currently retained for quality assurance purposes and may be used anonymously for the development of new tests unless consent for this is expressly denied.

Please note: karyotype or microarray analysis is essentially a whole genome analysis at varying levels of resolution. In a small proportion of referrals this form of analysis may identify unexpected findings with unexpected consequences for the individual tested or his/her family.

Packaging and transport

If the sample cannot be sent directly to the laboratory, please store at +4°C and send at the earliest opportunity. Do not freeze samples.

Specimen container must be placed in an individual clear, plastic, marsupial transport bag properly sealed at the top to contain potential leakage. The outer packaging for the specimens transported by postal services must be marked with diamond shaped mark UN 3373 and Biological substances, Category B.

Packaging and transport guidance (28 KB)

For local delivery of samples NOT transported by Royal Mail

Transport to Addenbrooke’s hospital:

Specimen reception in the main pathology block (Biochemistry, level 4)

or
Medical Genetics Laboratories Reception, level 6 ATC building.

Transport within Addenbrooke's Hospital:

Pneumatic tube (hospital POD) / Destination code (POD number) 36.

Sample details

Blood samples

If only small tubes are available, please place the sample into multiple tubes.

Adults: 5 ml blood.

Children: 1 to 5 ml blood.
Samples should be in EDTA anticoagulant tube (pink, red or purple cap).

and in lithium heparin anticoagulant (orange or green cap) tube.

DNA samples

Samples of extracted DNA (50ul DNA at concentration of ~500ng/ul) should be in a leak proof plastic container and sent by first class post.

Amniotic fluid samples

10 to 20ml in sterile leak-proof container.

> Contacts

Chorionic villi samples

10-30mg in sterile tissue transport medium (provided by the laboratory) within leak-proof plastic container.

> Contacts

Placental biopsy samples

Chorionic villi and placental membranes in sterile tissue transport medium (provided by the laboratory) within leak-proof plastic container.

> Diagram for taking placental tissue biopsy

Products of conception samples

Place in a sterile leak-proof container.

Stem cells or other cultured cells

Cultured cells in sterile container or fixed cell suspension in a leak proof container.

Skin biopsy

4mm² (minimum 3mm²) sample in sterile tissue transport medium (provided by the laboratory) within leak-proof plastic container.

Karyotype analysis / FISH:

Sample type	Sample requirement
Peripheral blood	Lithium heparin, 3-5ml
Amniotic fluid	Sterile, leak-proof plastic container; 10-20ml

Chorionic villus (CVS)	Leak-proof container with
Placental biopsy	Sterile tissue transport media
Products of conception	Evacuation container
Stem cells	Fixed cell suspension

Microarray testing / PCR:

Sample type	Sample requirements
Peripheral blood	EDTA, 3ml
Other tissues	Fresh in a leak-proof container
DNA	1-2mg @ >250ng/ml concentration

Muscle biopsy, paraffin blocks, Guthrie cards, saliva, mouthwash or buccal smears

By arrangement with laboratory.

> Contacts

Cultured cells

Harvesting of solid tissue cultures (17 KB)

Sample storage

Surplus diagnostic material will be stored in accordance with the relevant laboratory policies, unless consent for storage has been expressly denied.

In summary:

DNA is stored for all microarray referrals to facilitate further diagnostic testing, for quality assurance purposes and service development.
Surplus cultured cells for karyotype testing are only stored in following circumstances:
- Storage is requested by referring clinician
- Further diagnostic testing is anticipated.

Types of stored diagnostic material	Length of storage
Cells: Cultured	10 years
Cells: Fixed	10 years
DNA	30 years

Last updated: Wednesday 28 September 2011

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