Specimen Collection Instructions

All samples submitted to Transgenomic Labs must be properly identified with the patient’s name, date of birth, and/or a unique patient identifier. All samples must be accompanied by a signed and completed Requisition Form which provides the necessary patient information and identifies which test(s) are to be performed.

Samples should be submitted in a “Ziploc”-type biohazard bag and be mailed in accordance with postal and federal regulations.
 

Transgenomic accepts blood, tissue, saliva, and FFPE sample types; HOWEVER, not all sample types can be used with all tests. Always consult the Requisition Form for the specific sample types accepted for each test. See the specific sections below for specimen collection instructions for each sample type.

DNA Specimen Collection Kits for blood and saliva samples can be ordered from the Transgenomic Website at http://labs.transgenomic.com/ss/SampleKitRequest.asp.

All samples should be mailed to:

Transgenomic Labs Five
Science Park New
Haven, CT 06511
 

Samples are received Monday through Friday, and Saturdays until noon. Transgenomic Labs is closed on Sundays and major holidays. 

SALIVA

The patient should not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for 30 minutes prior to the sample being collected.

Saliva may not be a suitable sample type for all tests offered at Transgenomic. Please consult the Requisition Form before collecting or submitting a saliva sample for analysis.

Saliva Collection – Sponge type kit (Part Number 443006)

1. Place and move sponge in cheek pouch along the gums and inner cheeks to soak up as much saliva as possible.
2. Insert saturated sponge in V-notch of funnel and wring saliva out against the inner wall of the V-notch. Saliva will flow into the tube.
3. Repeat collection steps until the saliva reaches the fill line.
4. Close lid tightly by firmly pushing down until you hear a loud click.
5. Unscrew the funnel and use small cap in the collection kit to close the tube tightly.
6. Verify that the tube has the proper patient identification before placing in a biohazard bag.
7. Saliva may be shipped at ambient temperature overnight. Saliva samples are stable at ambient temperature for several weeks.

Saliva Collection – Cup kit (Part Number 443007)

1. Spit into the cup until the amount of saliva (not bubbles) reaches the fill line.
2. Close lid by pushing down hard on the funnel lid.
3. Unscrew the tube from the funnel.
4. Close tube tightly with small cap and mix.
5. Verify that the tube has the proper patient identification before placing in a biohazard bag.
6. Saliva may be shipped at ambient temperature overnight.
7. Saliva samples are stable at ambient temperature for several weeks.

BLOOD

Blood may not be a suitable sample type for all tests offered at Transgenomic. Please consult the Requisition Form before collecting or submitting a blood sample for analysis.

For all genetic testing except karyotyping or FISH: (Part Number 443002)

1. Peripheral blood should be collected in a 4 mL or larger lavender-top (EDTA) tube. A minimum of 4 mL of blood is required.
2. Apply tourniquet to patient’s arm and clean the site of the draw with an alcohol swab. After the site has dried, insert the needle into the vein and fill each tube. Remove the tourniquet before removing the needle. The vacutainer tube should be removed from the needle before removing the needle from the vein.
3. Invert the blood tube 8-10 times immediately after drawing in order to mix the additive with the blood.
4. Verify the blood tube has the proper patient identification.
5. Wrap the blood tube in absorbent paper; insert the wrapped tube in a secondary container.
6. Verify that the date of the blood draw is indicated on the requisition form.
7. Blood must be shipped at ambient temperature priority overnight within 24 hours after collection.
8. Blood that cannot be shipped within 24 hours must be stored at 4°C until shipped. Refrigerated blood should be received at Transgenomic labs within 7 days after collection.
9. Blood that has been collected and stored at -80°C must be shipped frozen on dry ice.

For karyotyping or FISH analysis: (Part Number 402029)

1. Peripheral blood should be collected in a 4 mL or larger green-top (sodium heparin) tube. A minimum of 4 mL of blood is required.
2. Apply tourniquet to patient’s arm and clean the site of the draw with an alcohol swab. After the site has dried, insert the needle into the vein and fill each tube. Remove the tourniquet before removing the needle. The vacutainer tube should be removed from the needle before removing the needle from the vein.
3. Invert the blood tube 8-10 times immediately after drawing in order to mix the additive with the blood.
4. Verify the blood tube has the proper patient identification.
5. Wrap the blood tube in absorbent paper; insert the wrapped tube in a secondary container.
6. Verify that the date of the blood draw is indicated on the requisition form.
7. Blood must be shipped at ambient temperature priority overnight within 24 hours after collection.
8. Blood that cannot be shipped within 24 hours must be stored at 4°C until shipped. Refrigerated blood should be received at Transgenomic labs within 72 hours after collection.
9. Blood stored at -80°C can not be used for karyotyping or FISH analysis.

TISSUE OR MUSCLE BIOPSY

Tissue samples may not be a suitable sample type for all genetic tests offered at Transgenomic. Please consult the Requisition Form before collecting or submitting a tissue sample for analysis.

1. Tissue samples must be shipped frozen, and using priority overnight shipping on dry ice.
2. Tissue samples should not be shipped for weekend delivery.
3. A minimum of 50 mg of tissue should be sent for genetic testing.

FORMALIN-FIXED PARAFFIN-EMBEDDED TISSUE (FFPE)

FFPE samples may not be a suitable sample type for all tests offered at Transgenomic. Please consult the Requisition Form before collecting or submitting a FFPE sample for analysis.

1. Five to ten unstained slides that are 5-10 microns thick each should be submitted for analysis.
2. One H&E guidance slide should be submitted along with the unstained slides for any oncology assay. If an H&E guidance slide is not submitted, additional charges may occur.
3. For oncology analysis, a tumor load of at least 25% is preferred for analysis. False negative results may occur if tumor load is too low.
4. FFPE samples should be shipped at ambient temperature.
5. If a formalin block is submitted for analysis, additional charges for cutting slides and H&E guidance slide creation will occur.

DNA samples may be submitted to the lab; however some extraction methods are known to interfere with PCR or other genetic laboratory procedures and the source of the DNA needs to be compatible with the sample type for all tests offered at Transgenomic. Please contact Transgenomic Labs prior to submitting a DNA sample.