General Sample Requirements
MGZ’s specimen requirements are listed below according to sample type. Please follow all instructions that apply to your sample type in order to prevent any processing delays and to ensure successful testing.
To view printable sample requirements, click here.
Please label every sample with the patient’s first and last name and date of birth.
Packaging should be shatter-proof, and samples should be sent at room temperature.
Unless otherwise noted, samples should arrive within 3-7 days after date of sampling.
Samples Required:
For all molecular genetic analyses (single genes and gene panels):
EDTA blood or DNA or prenatal samples
For chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA):
EDTA blood or DNA or prenatal samples
For karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH):
Heparinized blood or prenatal samples or products of conception
Blood and DNA Samples
Preferred quantity: 10 µg (minimum required: 3 µg)
Packaging: It is best to use a DNA tube with a screw cap. DNA tubes without screw caps should be sealed with paraffin film to prevent leakage.
Transport time: Not applicable.
During pre-analytics we measure the quality and quantity of DNA. Should a sample prove to be of insufficient quality and/or quantity, the test will be placed on hold and you will be contacted.
Preferred quantity: 4 ml (minimum required: 2 ml)
Packaging: Shatterproof. Please use Monovettes® (from Sarstedt) or Vacutainers® (Becton Dickinson) without a separating gel.
Preferred quantity: 4 ml (minimum required: 2 ml)
Packaging: Shatterproof. Please use Monovettes® (from Sarstedt) or Vacutainers® (Becton Dickinson) without a separating gel.
Preferred quantity: >1 ml (minimum required: 0.5 ml) heparinized blood (either lithium or sodium heparin)
Packaging: Shatterproof. Please use Monovettes® (from Sarstedt) or Vacutainers® (Becton Dickinson) without a separating gel.
Prenatal Samples
Unless maternal cell contamination is excluded by another laboratory, we highly recommend sending us a maternal EDTA blood or blood-DNA sample for all prenatal molecular genetic analyses.
Either 10-20 mg chorionic villi in a tube with sterile transport media, or
1-2 sterile confluent T25 flask(s) of cultured CVS cells
Either 5-15 ml amniotic fluid in a tube with sterile transport media, or
1-2 sterile confluent T25 flask(s) of cultured amniotic fluid cells
Fetal tissue
Additional Notes
In some cases, molecular genetic analyses can be performed with DNA obtained from saliva or buccal swabs. For more information, please contact us at inquiry@mgz-muenchen.com.
Should a sample arrive mislabeled, unlabeled, or damaged, we reserve the right to not perform the analysis.
If a sample proves to be of insufficient quality and/or quantity or is the wrong type of sample material for the analysis requested, the analysis will be placed on hold and you will be contacted.
Remaining unused DNA will be stored on site unless the patient explicitly requests that the sample be destroyed after testing.
All clinical specimens must be packaged and sent in accordance with UN 3373 “Biological substance, Category B” (IATA Packing Instruction 650).
SHIPPING ADDRESS (Sample receipt Monday through Friday only, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
MGZ – Medical Genetics Center
Bayerstr. 3-5 | Receiving: Schlosserstr. 4
80335 Munich
GERMANY