How to collect a sample — Warsaw Genomics

Buccal swab

Collection and transport-preparation instructions for the buccal swab.

1 hour before collection, do not smoke, eat, drink (other than water), brush your teeth or chew gum.

Check that the codes on the tubes match the barcode on your test consent form.
Just before collection, rinse your mouth with water.
Take out the first swab from the plastic tube. From the moment it is taken out of the packaging, the sponge must not come into contact with anyone other than you, and must not touch anything.
Insert the swab into your mouth and, holding your cheek with your fingers, firmly and thoroughly rub the inside of your cheek 10 times back and forth. Then repeat 10 times on the other side. Avoid touching the swab against teeth, tongue and lips.
Take the swab out of your mouth. Without letting go of it, move it a few times so it dries slightly and, without touching anything, immediately put it back into the plastic tube.
Repeat the same with the second swab.
Store the collected material at room temperature and send it to the laboratory as soon as possible (preferably on the day of collection).

Remember! In case of insufficient rubbing of the cheeks or contamination of the swab, the material may not be suitable for testing. In such a case, we will inform you of the need to provide the material again.

How to properly pack the swab for transport?

1

Prepare the shipment

Place the swabs and the signed test consent form in the cardboard box you received with the kit. Place the cardboard box in the return packaging (foil bag), then seal it so that it does not come undone in transit.
2

Send the sample to the laboratory

The kit should be stored at room temperature until shipment. Return the sample for testing according to the instructions on the sample return page.

Blood sample

Blood collection instructions and sample preparation for transport.

Individual patients are welcome to submit a blood sample for testing at our collection point.

Warsaw Genomics Collection Point

ul. Mochnackiego 10, ground floor, room no. 5 (to the right of the entrance)
02-042 Warsaw
telephone: +48 22 118 94 80

You can donate blood for genetic testing free of charge at our laboratory. You do not need to be fasting. We collect blood from children and adults. Open: Mon, Tue, Thu 8:00–10:00; Wed, Fri 15:30–18:30. No need to sign up — just come.

Blood should be collected into one EDTA tube (do not collect into clot tubes or lithium heparin tubes). Collection can take place at any time of day; the patient does not need to be fasting:

adult — approx. 4 ml of venous blood
children — approx. 4 ml (minimum 2 ml) of venous blood
infant — approx. 1.5–2 ml of venous blood

Mix the tube thoroughly with the anticoagulant and store at 4°C. Blood should be sent within one week of collection. Label the tube with the patient's first name, last name and PESEL number.

How to properly pack a blood sample for testing?

1

Secure the sample

Wrap the material in a disposable tissue, a piece of paper towel or other absorbent material and place it in a foil bag. Seal the bag tightly and place it in a rigid plastic container or small box. Place the container in an envelope (preferably a bubble-wrap envelope).
2

Attach the test consent form

In the envelope with the material, include the signed referral for genetic testing together with the patient's informed consent for testing.
3

Send the sample to the laboratory

Return the sample for testing according to the instructions on the sample return page.

Paraffin block (FFPE) with slides

Material collection instructions and sample preparation for transport.

From a pathology department, request a tumour tissue specimen for testing in the form of a paraffin block containing a tumour section together with a histopathology slide obtained from the block that allows the tumour tissue fragment to be located.

Please also include a copy of the histopathology report.

How to properly pack the material for testing?

1

Secure the sample

Place the paraffin block together with the slides in a rigid plastic container or small box. Place the container in an envelope (preferably a bubble-wrap envelope).
2

Attach the test consent form

In the envelope, include the signed referral for genetic testing together with the patient's informed consent. Attach a copy of the histopathology report.
3

Send the sample to the laboratory

Return the sample for testing according to the instructions on the sample return page.

Paraffin block (FFPE) with slides + blood sample

Material collection instructions and sample preparation for transport.

Blood

A total of 4 ml of blood should be collected into one EDTA tube (do not collect into clot tubes or lithium heparin tubes). Collection can take place at any time of day; the patient does not need to be fasting. Mix thoroughly with the anticoagulant and store at 4°C. Label the tube with the patient's first name, last name and PESEL number.

Paraffin block

From a pathology department, request a tumour tissue specimen in the form of a paraffin block containing a tumour section together with a histopathology slide obtained from the block that allows the tumour tissue fragment to be located. Please also include a copy of the histopathology report.

How to properly pack the material for testing?

1

Secure the samples

Wrap the blood in a disposable tissue, paper towel or other absorbent material and place it in a foil bag. Place the paraffin block together with the slides in a rigid plastic container or small box. Place the container in an envelope (preferably a bubble-wrap envelope).
2

Attach the test consent form

In the envelope, include the signed referral for genetic testing together with the patient's informed consent. Attach a copy of the histopathology report.
3

Send the samples to the laboratory

Return the samples for testing according to the instructions on the sample return page.

Plasma (aHUS)

Sample collection instructions and sample preparation for transport.

For analysis of antibodies against factor H by immunoenzymatic method, the required material is haemolysis-free plasma. Material can be delivered in two ways:

Blood collected on EDTA (4 ml) delivered within 48 hours of collection

Collect into one EDTA tube (not clot or lithium heparin tubes), at any time of day, patient need not be fasting. Mix thoroughly with the anticoagulant and store at 4°C until shipment. Label the tube with the patient's first name, last name and PESEL number.

Plasma (300–500 µl) separated from EDTA blood

The sample prepared this way should be frozen and delivered on dry ice to the laboratory.

How to properly pack a blood sample for testing?

1

Secure the sample

Wrap the material in a disposable tissue, paper towel or other absorbent material and place it in a foil bag. Seal the bag tightly and place it in a rigid plastic container or small box. Place the container in an envelope (preferably a bubble-wrap envelope).
2

Attach the test consent form

In the envelope with the material, include the signed referral for genetic testing together with the patient's informed consent for testing.
3

Deliver the sample to the laboratory

Send the EDTA blood according to the instructions on the sample return page (when arranging the courier, inform us of the need to order UPS Express Plus service). For frozen plasma on dry ice, the Customer organises and bears the cost of transport themselves.

DNA

Sample collection instructions and sample preparation for transport.

The DNA sample should be suspended in Tris-HCl 10 mM pH 8 or pure H₂O. The minimum amount of DNA is 2.5 µg, concentration approximately 50 ng/µl.

How to properly pack the material for testing?

1

Secure the sample

Place the DNA sample in a rigid plastic container or small box. Place the container in an envelope (preferably a bubble-wrap envelope).
2

Attach the test consent form

In the envelope with the material, include the signed referral for genetic testing together with the patient's informed consent for testing.
3

Send the sample to the laboratory

Return the sample for testing according to the instructions on the sample return page.

cfDNA

Blood collection instructions for circulating free DNA testing, and sample preparation for transport.

Blood should be collected into two Streck tubes (2 × 9 ml), available free of charge upon request from the medical facility.
Collection can take place at any time of day; the patient does not need to be fasting.
Each tube should be thoroughly mixed (do not shake) with the anticoagulant and stored at room temperature.
The collected samples must not be cooled or frozen.
Tubes should be labelled with the patient's first name, last name and PESEL number.

How to properly pack a blood sample for testing?

1

Secure the sample

Wrap the material in a disposable tissue, paper towel or other absorbent material and place it in a foil bag. Seal the bag tightly and place it in a rigid plastic container or small box. Place the container in an envelope (preferably a bubble-wrap envelope).
2

Attach the test consent form

In the envelope with the material, include the signed referral for genetic testing together with the patient's informed consent for testing.
3

Deliver the sample to the laboratory

Transport of blood is organised and paid for by the Customer. Samples must be delivered to the laboratory by 3 pm on the day of collection. Please contact our helpline in advance to inform us of the sample delivery.

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