Biological Sample Requirements and Transport Information

On each sample, please note the patient's name (printed if it is possible), identification number (if any) and date of birth.

• For molecular genetic analyzes (of single genes or gene panels), the required biological material is a venous blood or DNA sample.

• For microarray analysis (aCGH) - venous blood, DNA sample or other specific material (tissue).

• For microsatellite instability - tumor and normal tissue.

Venous blood:

• Preferred quantity:

  • Newborns: 2-3 ml

  • Children: 3-5 ml

  • Adults: 5-10 ml

• Preparation: use a tube with a purple cap containing EDTA (vacutainer), preferably without a separating gel. Mark the patient's three names (printed), identification number (if any) and date of birth on the tube.

• Temperature: DO NOT FREEZE the blood sample! If the weather is hot, place a packet of frozen gel or ice in the sample container. Put a paper towel or napkin between the ice and the blood tube. In cold weather, it is only necessary to add a package of refrigerant to the container to send the sample. The blood sample is stable for up to 48 hours at room temperature. The cooled blood sample is stable for up to a week.

• Transport time: Your blood sample should arrive at the laboratory within 2 days.

DNA *:

• Preferred amount: 5 µg (minimum 3 µg) purified DNA sample with a concentration of not less than 50 ng/µl (mark the concentration on the tube). For tests that require re- or additional gene sequencing, it may be necessary to send more of the DNA sample.

• Preparation: Put the required amount of DNA in a 1.5 ml tube or tube with a screw cap. Indicate on the tube what the DNA sample is dissolved in (water or buffer), its concentration, the patient's three names (printed), identification number (if any) and date of birth. Use Parafilm to seal the cap.

• Temperature: The DNA sample can be sent at room temperature or a refrigerated container (NOT FROZEN!).

• Transport time: Your DNA sample should arrive in the laboratory within 4-5 days.

* The concentration and quality of the DNA sample are checked in a preliminary analysis in the laboratory; if the sample is not sufficient, the analysis cannot be performed.

Tumor tissue *:

• Type of sample: we accept fresh tumor tissue, paraffin block together with stained (H&E - hemalaum and eosin) histopathological preparation or 1.5 ml Eppendorf tube with separated material from histopathologist containing at least 5 unstained histological sections (thickness of 10 μm) from the paraffin block with a minimum percentage in the section of tumor tissue - 70% determined by the histopathologist.

• Preparation:

  • paraffin block together with histopathological preparation, as well as 1.5 ml Eppendorf tube with a minimum of 5 unstained histological sections: no special requirements

  • fresh tissue: suitable buffer solution

• Temperature: room temperature.

• Transport time:

  • paraffin block together with histopathological preparation: no special requirements

  • Fresh tissue: Your sample should arrive at the laboratory within 1-2 weeks.

* Before sending a tumor sample for analysis for microsatellite instability, please contact us to discuss the case.