Sample submission guide
What a modification workflow can start from, how the sample should be kept before it ships, and what happens once it arrives. Amount and preparation notes for a specific method are given on that method's page.
01What can be submitted
RNA modification workflows start from total RNA, cells, tissue or blood. The workflows differ in what they do to the RNA, not in the material they accept, so the sample notes below apply across the service lines.
| Sample type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total RNA | Purified total RNA from any of the sources below. Keep the ratio of absorbance at 260 to 280 nm at or above 1.8 and the RIN at or above 7, with no visible degradation. |
| Cultured cells | Cell pellets are the preferred form. Harvest and stabilise promptly; do not let the pellet thaw during handling. |
| Tissue | Fresh or frozen specimens. Avoid necrotic material, which degrades the RNA before it reaches the workflow. |
| Whole blood | EDTA tubes only. Heparin is not compatible with the downstream procedure. |
02Quality expectations
- Integrity. No visible degradation on a gel or an equivalent trace; an intact ribosomal profile where the workflow depends on it.
- Purity. A 260/280 ratio at or above 1.8, and no carry-over of phenol, ethanol, salt or guanidine from the extraction.
- Handling. Keep samples cold, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles, and use RNase-free consumables throughout.
- If in doubt, ask first. Sending a sample that does not meet the threshold is more expensive than confirming it before shipping.
03Storage before shipping
| Material | How to keep it |
|---|---|
| Cells and tissue | Preserve in TRIzol or an RNA stabilisation solution, snap freeze in liquid nitrogen and store at −80 °C. |
| Total RNA | Resuspend in ethanol or RNase-free ultrapure water; store at −80 °C and avoid multiple freeze–thaw cycles. |
04Packing and shipping
- Place the sample in a 1.5 mL RNase-free microcentrifuge tube and label it clearly.
- Seal the tube with parafilm or a cap lock so it cannot open in transit.
- Pack with adequate insulation and ship on dry ice so the sample stays frozen for the whole journey.
- Send the tracking details and the sample list so arrival can be matched to the project.
05What happens on arrival
- Receipt check. The sample is logged against the project and inspected on arrival.
- QC. Integrity and purity are measured before the workflow starts.
- Go / no-go. If the sample does not meet the threshold, this is reported before further work is done.
- Then the workflow. The modification-specific treatment or enrichment begins once QC is passed.
| Need | Request Quote |
|---|---|
| Sample suitability check before shipping | |
| Shipping and receiving logistics |
06FAQ
Can total RNA be submitted instead of cells or tissue?
Yes, and it is often the better choice because the extraction is already done and can be checked before shipping. Purified total RNA from cells, tissue or blood is accepted, and the usual expectations apply: a 260/280 ratio at or above 1.8, a RIN at or above 7, and no visible degradation.
How much material does a workflow need?
It depends on the method, so it is stated on the service page for the workflow you are considering rather than given as one number here. The workflows differ in what they do to the RNA rather than in the material they accept, so the sample type can be settled first.
What happens if the sample fails QC?
It is reported before any further work is done, so the decision to re-prepare the sample is made early rather than after the workflow has run. Integrity and purity are measured on arrival, and a sample that does not meet the threshold is flagged at that point. Confirming suitability beforehand is cheaper than sending material that does not qualify.
Is whole blood accepted?
Yes, collected in EDTA tubes. Heparin tubes are not compatible with the downstream procedure, so the collection tube decides whether the sample can enter a workflow at all. Blood is one of the four sample types the workflows start from, alongside total RNA, cells and tissue, and the same purity and integrity expectations apply.
How should a sample be shipped?
Sealed in an RNase-free tube, insulated, and shipped on dry ice with the tracking details sent separately. Label the tube clearly and use a cap lock or parafilm so it cannot open in transit, and keep the sample frozen for the whole journey. Send the sample list with the tracking details so arrival can be matched to the project.