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How to Order
Browse our test catalogue and choose the tests of interest
Fill out your sender information, patient and billing data, then sign the consent
Collect the required amount of samples, preferably using CentoCard©
Send your sample to CENTOGENE*
*please clearly mark your sample with unique identifier(s), DOB, last and first name
Alternatively download our request form, fill in and send it with signed consent form and sample
Sample requirements
Our techniques are developed for the optimal use of all clinical materials. We are aware of the importance of these samples and we pay utmost attention to their careful and efficient preparation. Depending on which test you select, we accept the following materials:
Material requirements
CentoCard® / Filtercard
- ≥ 1 full CentoCard® (10 complete blood spots)
Exceptions:
- 2 full CentoCards® or 1 full CentoCard® + 2ml EDTA blood for Enzyme Panel and Enzyme Panel X-TRA versions of CentoLSD, CentoSphingo, CentoMPS, and CentoNCL
EDTA blood
- ≥ 1 ml
Exceptions:
- ≥ 4ml required for Enzyme panel and Enzyme panel X-TRA versions of CentoLSD, CentoSphingo, CentoMPS, and CentoNCL
- ≥ 5ml required for arylsulfatase A and beta-glucosidase biochemical testing, which is performed in leucocytes
Buccal swab
- 1 Oragene OCR-100 buccal swab collection set
Exceptions:
- 2 Oragene OCR-100 buccal swab collection sets for the Ataxia comprehensive panel and Ataxia repeat expansion panel
Saliva
- 1 Oragene OG-610 saliva collection set
Exceptions:
- 2 Oragene OG-610 saliva collection sets for the Ataxia comprehensive panel and Ataxia repeat expansion panel
Ready to use DNA
- ≥ 1 µg
For DNA samples, we recommend extraction using Qiagen kits, elution in water or AE buffer in 20µL volume (min.), plus evaluation of 260/280 Ratio (1.6 – 2.1) and fluorescent dye quantification of concentration (> 10 ng/µl) before sending.
cfDNA (cell-free DNA)
- 10 ml of blood shipped in cell-free DNA BCT STRECK tubes
ctDNA (circulating-tumor DNA)
- 10 ml of blood shipped in cell-free DNA BCT STRECK tubes
Cultured cells
(fibroblasts, chorionic villi cells, amniotic fluid cells)
- 1 flask, min. 25cm², 80-90% confluent
CVS (chorionic villi)
- A minimum of 10 cleaned villi
Cord blood
- ≥1 ml
Amniotic fluid
- A minimum of 10 ml
Biopsy material
- ≥ 20 mg
Bone marrow aspirate (NH4-Heparin)
- EDTA Tube or CentoCard, alternatively NH4-Heparin
Tissue sample
- Sample size: ≥ 20 mg
FFPE (Formaline-fixed Parafin Embedded Tissue)
- 1 Block
- ≥ 10 sections of 10 µm thickness (uncharged slides without additives) and control slide with clearly marked area of enriched tumor
Notes:
- Each accompanied by Pathology report
- Fixation types accepted: 10% Formalin or 4% Paraformaldehyde or frozen tissue from OCT-Cell blocks (freshly frozen)
- Please do not send tissue fixed in Bouins or gluteraldehyde. All samples should be shipped in a sterile tube at room temperature - no cold pack is required
Please take care that all clinical materials are collected with the highest level of attention. This is of particular importance when sampling fibroblasts, amniotic fluid, or chorionic villi where a sterile environment has to be maintained.
Should you have any questions regarding CENTOGENE’s recommendations for sample preparation, please contact us.
Required sample identification & information
The following information has to be included on the accompanying requisition forms:
- Patient demographics
- Ordering physician/ healthcare provider with complete contact details
- Report recipient with complete contact details
- Invoice recipient with complete contact details if differing from report recipient
- Clinical and family history information must be submitted
- Testing requested
- Signed, completed consent form
- Preferred payment option - checking the appropriate box. Please find the payment options and required forms here.
Sample material must be labeled with:
- Patient’s full name
- Patient’s date of birth
Important: For all countries outside of Germany, we require a written and signed statement including the complete address and name of the person or institution who will cover the costs of the analysis.
Please note that an e-mail notification needs to be sent to CENTOGENE (customer.support(at)centogene(dot)com) when a time-sensitive specimen has been sent.
Sample transport
Filtercards, EDTA blood, cord blood, saliva, DNA or paraffin embedded tissue:
Samples can be sent via regular mail at room temperature. Liquid blood is stable for up to 4 days during transport.
Amniotic fluid:
A min. of 10 ml of samples are placed into a sterile conical tube. These should be shipped overnight at room temperature. Care must be taken to ensure that the sample does not freeze.
Chorionic villi, tissue samples other than paraffin embedded tissue:
Specimens need to be shipped at room temperature in a minimum of 35ml of RPMI transport medium with fetal calf serum. Especially during winter months, please ensure that the samples are shipped in a manner to secure that they do not freeze (temperatures should not fall below +4°C).
Cultured cells
Flasks containing cells should be completely filled with transport medium containing fetal calf serum and shipped at room temperature. Care must be taken to ensure that the sample does not freeze.
Blood for ctDNA analysis:
Blood samples must be sent in glass STRECK tubes as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Samples must be shipped immediately after sampling and at no stage should they be frozen. Blood samples collected in STRECK tubes can be shipped at room temperature, as they are stable up to 14 days. Samples in glass STRECK tubes must be handled and shipped carefully to prevent any damage to the glass tubes during shipment.
Shipping instructions
Samples should be sent to:
CENTOGENE GmbH
Am Strande 7
18055 Rostock
GERMANY
