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Whole Blood Samples

Learn how to prepare whole blood for shipment, which tubes and sample volume to use, and how to protect the sample from coagulation.

CATEGORY
Shipment preparation and logistics
PROJECT STAGE
03 · Sample preparation and shipping
READING TIME
1 min
LAST UPDATED
19 February 2024
PREPARED BY
weSEQ.IT Technical Team
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Proper sample preparation is a critical step in every study, and the scope of our service may also include nucleic acid extraction from the tissue provided. Blood is particularly sensitive because of its tendency to coagulate. To protect your material during transport, please prepare whole blood samples according to the checklist below:

  • Collect whole blood samples in tubes containing a medical-grade anticoagulant, such as sodium citrate or EDTA. We do not recommend heparin).
  • After collection, gently invert the tube 10 times to mix the sample thoroughly with the anticoagulant. 
  • Transfer the blood to standard 1.5 or 2.0 ml DNase- and RNase-free EP tubes and store at -20 or -80°C for transport or long-term storage. Follow the instructions provided with the blood collection tube.
IMPORTANT
  1. Avoid blood collection tubes that require a dedicated extraction kit, as the absence of the appropriate kit in the laboratory may delay sample processing.
  2. After collecting and mixing the blood, transfer it to one or more 1.5 or 2.0 ml DNase- and RNase-free EP tubes. Glass blood collection tubes become fragile after freezing and may break during transport. 
KEYWORDS
whole bloodblood samplesEDTAsodium citrateanticoagulantheparinDNA isolation from bloodblood sample
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