Download Sample Preparation and Shipping Guidelines

Sample Preparation and Shipping Guidelines
If you require more information, please email [email protected] or call (800) 447-2960.
Prior to performing analysis, we require communication between the Principal Investigator and
Lipomics to review the available technologies and to determine the most suitable analysis.
PLEASE NOTE: Lipomics will NOT accept any shipments of infectious or hazardous samples that are
not packaged in an approved shipping kit. Contact Lipomics for more information.
Sample Quality
Biohazard Specimen
The accuracy of our analysis depends on
many variables, most important of which is
the quality of the sample submitted. The
shipper is responsible for proper specimen
collection, labeling, storage, packaging, and
timely transport to Lipomics. To maintain
specimen integrity, please follow the
instructions below for sample collection,
storage and shipment. Improper storage of
the specimen will affect specimen integrity
and may result in erroneous analysis.
Do not send specimens containing
radioactivity or known biohazards that may
affect humans (examples: Hepatitis, HIV)
unless you have prior authorization from
Lipomics. Specimens containing known
biohazards are considered dangerous goods
and must be labeled and shipped accordingly.
Lipomics Technologies, Inc. – A Division of Metabolon, Inc.
Lipomics is committed to
providing accurate and
quantitative metabolite
profiles and authoritative
interpretation of their
meaning to assist life
science professionals in
making crucial decisions.
Want to know more?
Give us a call today at
(800) 447-2960.
www.lipomics.com
Sample Quantity
To help us achieve optimal analytical results,
please send the appropriate quantity of sample
as specified in the table below. If the matrix
for your sample is not listed, please contact
Lipomics for assistance: [email protected]
Please Count Cells or Weigh Tissue Samples Prior to Freezing.
TrueMass® Analytical Panel
Matrix
Optimal Quantity
Minimum Quantity
Lipomic Panel
Plasma/Serum400 ml100 ml
Tissue
100 mg
10 mg
Cells
25-100 million*
10 million
Fatty Acid Metabolism PanelPlasma/Serum 50 ml25 ml
Tissue
50 mg
10 mg
Cells
25-100 million*
10 million
Acylcarnitine Panel
Plasma/Serum50 ml25 ml
Tissue
50 mg
10 mg
Cells
25-100 million*
10 million
Amino Acid Panel
Plasma/Serum50 ml25 ml
Tissue
50 mg
10 mg
Cells
25-100 million*
10 million
Cholesterol Metabolism PanelPlasma/Serum 100 ml50 ml
Tissue
50 mg
10 mg
Cells
25-100 million*
10 million
Bile Acid Panel
Plasma/Serum50 ml25 ml
Tissue
50 mg
10 mg
Cells
25-100 million*
10 million
*Number dependant on cell type. Email [email protected] for more information
Sample Preparation
Instructions
Improper storage of samples will affect
specimen quality and may affect analytical
results. Freeze-thaw cycles will degrade
sample quality; avoid freeze- thaw cycles.
Plasma or Serum
•Freshly collected plasma or serum should
be flash frozen and shipped on dry ice
immediately. If plasma or serum needs to
be stored prior to shipment, each sample
should be stored at – 80°C.
•Send in 2.0 ml round bottom Eppendorf tubes.
IMPORTANT: For Lipomic Profile analysis of
plasma, please do not collect samples in tubes
containing heparin as this may negatively affect
the lipid profile of the sample. We suggest using
lavendar top BD Vacutainer tubes containing
EDTA for plasma collection.
Lipomics Technologies, Inc. – A Division of Metabolon, Inc.
-80
°C
Tissues
•Freshly harvested tissues should be flash frozen in liquid nitrogen or an ethanol/dry
ice bath and shipped on dry ice immediately.
Flash freezing the sample immediately helps
to prevent sample degradation.
•Do not homogenize samples prior to
shipment.
•Tissue samples should never be allowed to
defrost. Thawing the sample will cause lipid
degradation.
•Tissues that are not shipped immediately
should be stored at – 80°C or in liquid
nitrogen.
•Send in 2.0 ml round bottom Eppendorf tubes
NOTE: Lipomics will analyze the sample set
delivered to the laboratory exactly as it is sent.
Therefore, in the case of blood engorged tissues
(liver, lung, heart, etc.), the tissue AND the blood
contained therein will be analyzed for all lipid
components. Since blood contains considerable
lipids, the final analysis will include blood-borne
lipids as an important contribution to the overall
lipid composition of the sample. If it is desired to
avoid any contamination with blood and blood
cell lipids, the tissue should first be perfused with
a clean, preferably sterile, buffer.
Cells
•Remove supernatant from isolated cell pellet
•Wash cell pellet to ensure residual media is
completely removed; cell pellet should be
flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately.
•Cells that are not shipped should be stored
at –80°C.
•To ensure that you send appropriate quantity,
count the cells before freezing.
•Send cell pellet in 2.0 ml round bottom
Eppendorf tubes.
NOTE: Concentrations of lipid components vary
among cell lines. Prior to sending cell sample,
please contact Lipomics for the required cell
count. If samples are shipped prior to contacting
Lipomics, Lipomics retains the right to refuse
analysis or to assess a service charge.
Sample Identification
The Sample Identification Form is an Excel
spreadsheet sent to you by Lipomics when you
initiate an order with us. Please complete all
fields on the form. Email the completed form to
[email protected] and print two copies.
Retain one copy for your records and enclose
the second copy with your shipment. If you are
sending more than one box of samples,
enclose one copy of the Sample Identification
Form in each box and clearly indicate which
samples are enclosed in each box.
Please ensure the following:
•Each sample has been collected and stored
according to the guidelines found in this
document.
•Each sample tube is labeled and properly
identified on the Sample Identification Form.
Shipping Biological Samples
The shipper is required to comply with all
rules and guidelines for transport of biological
samples as set forth by the United States
government. If a sample is being shipped from
outside the U.S., the shipper is also required
to comply with all rules and guidelines set
forth by the government in the country of
origin, international regulatory agencies, and
the U.S. government. Failure to follow
instructions for packaging and shipping
samples can result in the delay, loss or
destruction of your specimens. Lipomics will
not be held responsible for any liability
attributable to the shipper’s improper
actions or failure to comply with regulations.
It is not necessary to designate routine
samples as biohazard or dangerous goods.
The shipping company may unnecessarily
delay shipments labeled in this manner.
NOTE: Samples containing radiation or known
biohazards that may affect humans (examples:
Hepatitis, HIV) are considered dangerous goods.
The client is required to contact Lipomics for
authorization of shipment of such materials.
Items Required for Shipping Biological
Specimens:
•Styrofoam or cryogenic cardboard rack for
holding sample vials
•Plastic specimen transport box
•Insulated container with lid (inner package)
—Container must be intact without any
cracks or holes. According to federal
regulations, insulated inserts alone are not
acceptable for shipping biological specimens.
•Absorbent material, such as paper towels
Continued >>
www.lipomics.com
•Packing material, such as bubble wrap,
newspaper, paper towels or insulated
packing pieces
•Sealing tape
•Cardboard shipping box (outer package)—
Must be of adequate strength for its capacity,
mass and intended use
•Customer Identification Form completed,
signed and dated
•Sample Identification Form completed,
signed and dated
•Airbill for overnight courier
•Dry ice—At least 5 lbs. per regular-size
shipping container (dry ice pellets preferred);
please do not ship using wet ice or ice packs
•Dry ice label (UN 1845)—please see
following details:
– Name of the shipper and consignee
– The name of the contents being cooled
– The words “Dry Ice” or “Carbon Dioxide
Solid”
– The UN number for Carbon Dioxide Solid (UN1845)
– The net weight of the dry ice within the
package
– A Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods Label affixed on the same surface of the package near the proper shipping name and adjacent to the shipper’s address
Instructions for Packing Non-biohazard
Material:
1. Place frozen, labeled samples in the
Styrofoam or cryogenic cardboard rack.
Do not place samples loose in the dry ice.
2. Place rack into secondary container or bag.
3. Place approximately 2 inches of absorbent
material (such as paper towels) in the
bottom of the insulated container.
4. Place layer of dry ice on top of absorbent
material.
5. Place the specimen box on top of dry ice.
Cover specimen box with additional dry ice.
6. Fill top of insulated container completely
with packing material. Replace cover and
secure with sealing tape. Dry ice deteriorates
rapidly when exposed to air, so lid should
be taped on tightly and securely.
7.
Place the insulated container inside the
shipping cardboard box. If the cardboard box is larger than necessary to accommodate the insulated container, place additional packing material around the insulated container to prevent movement during shipping. Seal top of box with sealing tape.
Want to know more?
Give us a call today at
(800) 447-2960.
8. Place the completed Customer Identification
Form and Sample Identification Form on
top of the insulated container. If multiple
boxes are being shipped, include copies of
both forms in each box. The Sample
Identification Form should clearly indicate
which samples are included in each box.
9. Fasten completed airbill on top of cardboard
shipping box. Specimens should be shipped
Priority Overnight, Express or Next Day Air
per individual shipper designations.
10.Fasten dry ice label (UN 1845) on side of box.
11.Notify overnight courier of pick-up or
deliver it to the shipper.
12.Please contact Lipomics at (800) 447-2960
with shipping information.
Ship samples to:
Lipomics Technologies, Inc.
3410 Industrial Boulevard, Ste. 103
West Sacramento, CA 95691
Please observe the following:
•Use only priority overnight delivery.
•Do not specify Saturday delivery.
•Send shipment directly to Lipomics at the
address shown above. Do not have the
shipment held at service location for pickup.
•For shipments within the United States or
from Canada, ship any day Monday through
Thursday. Do not ship on Friday.
•For international shipments coming from
outside of North America, ship on Friday to
ensure arrival in California for delivery early
the following week.
3410 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 103 | West Sacramento, CA 95691
(800) 447-2960 | [email protected] | www.lipomics.com