Shipping Information

Taking Samples

Human genetic testing normally requires EDTA blood for all molecular genetic and Array-CGH diagnostics, as well as heparinized blood (lithium, sodium, or ammonium heparin) for all cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic diagnostics.

The following tissues may also be used:

Amniotic fluid
Chorionic and placenta villi
Umbilical cord blood
Abort tissue
Tumour tissue (e.g., for microsatellite analysis)
Other tissue (e.g. skin, intestinal mucosa, muscle), if genetic mutations are found only in these organs (please confer by telephone)
Swab of oral mucosa (e.g. from small children, where only small amounts of DNA are required and no blood is available)

You can use Vacutainers or Monovettes without separation gels.

Please do not send whole blood, serum, or citrate blood.

Regarding muscle biopsies: We recommend that you send muscle biopsies on dry ice with an express courier. Please notify us at least one day in advance by calling +49 (0)89 / 309 08 86-0 or +49 (0)89 / 309 08 86-555. Thank you!

All materials required for collecting and transporting samples, including the appropriate vacutainers/monovettes can be ordered by contacting us (by telephone, E-mail or Fax; see Downloads/Forms).

Labelling Samples

Please be sure to label every sample with the patient's first and last name and date of birth.

Payment, Consent, Cover Letters, and Request Forms

PLEASE NOTE:

In order to perform genetic testing it is required by the German Gene Diagnostics Law (GenDG, or Gendiagnostikgesetz, in effect since 1 February 2010) that we receive the express written consent of the patient or his/her legal guardian or representative prior to testing. The appropriate forms can be downloaded from our website.

If you would like to receive an expert human genetic report, please indicate this on the request form.
For privately insured or in-patients we require the corresponding information. Please indicate who should receive the bill.

Please include your telephone and fax numbers in your accompanying letter or on our request form, in order that we may contact you with follow-up questions and test results.

The receipt of samples sent to us for an analysis that requires more than 1 week to complete will be confirmed via fax.

Clinical data, previous lab or genetic test results and, where appropriate, information pertaining to a patient's family tree are especially important for the interpretation of our test results.

For genetic testing, please include the patient's written consent or, in the case of children, parental consent (see Downloads/Forms).

Should you have any questions, or would like to order sample containers, vacutainers/monovettes or shipping materials, you can reach us by calling +49 (0)89 / 309 08 86-0.

Sample Transport

Samples may be sent by post or by courier. Please call us if you would like to make use of a local courier service. Samples may also be delivered personally between 9 AM and 6 PM.

Before sending prenatal or other urgent samples, we ask that you notify us by calling 49 (0)89 / 309 08 86-0 or +49 (0)89 / 309 08 86-554.

Samples for genetic analysis should be handed over to a courier or posted as soon as possible. It is not necessary to cool or refrigerate samples; samples should on no account be frozen (with the exception of muscle biopsies).

Sample Asservation

After the completion of molecular genetic diagnostics, all remaining unused DNA will be stored on location for a period of more than 15 years (with patient consent) and would thus available for future testing.

Please be sure to indicate if preservation of the largest possible amount of DNA is required (e.g., in cases of unexplained illness, or where a child's health is threatened by an illness of potentially genetic origin, or when there is a need to assess the risk for siblings and their children).

Should you have any questions, please call us +49 (0)89 / 309 08 86-0.