DNA Banking - Saskatoon
Discipline
Genetics and Genomics
Overview
Description
Ordering recommendations
- DNA banking involves the secure, long-term storage of an individual’s genetic material for future use.
Ordering requirements
- GENERAL REQUISITION – CYTOGENETICS AND MOLECULAR GENETICS TESTING (CGEN-113)
- NOTE: If Patient is from Regina/Southern Saskatchewan, please seek RRPL DNA banking requisition
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Peripheral blood/whole blood
- Skin or other tissue
- Amniotic fluid
Specimen collection container
- Blood: Lavender (EDTA)
- Tissue: Starplex container with sterile media or saline
- Amniotic fluid: sterile 15 mL tube
Collection procedure
- Invert tube several times to mix
- Specimen must be accompanied by a completed test requisition, signed by physician
- Failure to include relevant patient information may result in test results being delayed or discontinued
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 4 – 7 mL blood
- Minimum volume for adult: 2 mL blood
- Minimum volume for pediatric patient: 1 mL of peripheral blood or cord blood
- (Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
- 0.5 x 0.5 cm tissue specimen
Transport and stability
- Ship specimens at ambient temperature
- Specimens may be stored at 2-8°C
Rejection criteria
- Specimens with less than 1 mL of peripheral blood or cord blood
- Blood specimen >7 days post collection
- Mislabelled/unlabelled specimens
- Leaking specimens
- Improperly stored specimens
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Methodology
- Purification of archive-quality DNA from whole blood, cultured cells (example: aminocytes, fibroblasts, etc.), products of conception (POC) fetal tissue samples, other tissues and fixed cytogenetic cell pellets.
Days/times performed
Availability
- Specimens accepted Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the RUH Genomics Laboratory
Results reporting
- Turnaround time for routine test is 7 days
- Turnaround time for STAT is within 3 days
Specimen retention time
- Banked DNA will be stored at RRPL as their banking policy
Last Updated: March 28, 2024