Sending of samples
Please find below detailed information to send your
under optimal conditions to IIT Biotech's shipping address.
DNA samples
will resist transportation strain better when they are dry or solid. They can be mildly lyophilized or evaporated applying a speedvac. While drying, the temperatures must never exceed 60°C. Results will benefit from temperatures of 40°C or less. Deep freezing and shipment on dry ice is a good alternative to drying DNA samples before posting, while precipitation in the presence of ammonium acetate should be avoided.
Small high-copy number plasmids are quite resistant to transportation stress when shipped in solved form. Larger DNA molecules or linear DNA like PCR products are much more susceptible to strain and may easier be sheared.
Before posting high-copy number plasmids, cosmids, or PCR products, these templates must be purified.
Avoid shipping unpurified PCR products!
PCR products
as unpurified PCR products may be degenerated during the shipment. Purification can be performed by applying one of the various silica- or membrane-based systems that are available in many DNA extraction or PCR purification kits. Only products recommended for DNA sequencing should be used. After purification, the DNA should be solved in sterilized and purified water or 1 mM to 5 mM Tris-Cl, pH adjusted to 7.5 through 8.5.
Sending sequencing clones
Preparing DNA for transportation is rather tedious and time-consuming. Often it is simpler and more robust to send the sequencing clones. Stab cultures in robust vials are optimal for transportation. Agar plates and the cultures grown on them are more exposed to transportation strain. Sending fluid cultures should be avoided to reduce transportation risks.
Labeling the culture vials with the same names as in the order forms will speed up IIT Biotech's processing of your clones after arrival. Clones sent for DNA sequencing must not be harmful to humans or the environment.
Sending sequencing primers
Custom primers should be sent in robust vials, labeled with the primer name at the side of the vial. Primers should have a concentration of 10 µM, this is 10 pmol primer per µl. The primer sequence must be given on the order form. Sending a copy of the manufacturer's primer data sheet is much appreciated.