Sample Collection and Storage

Purpose / Scope

To provide a standard operating procedure for sample collection, partner site storage and transport to the central co-ordinating site (i.e. Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, King’s College London (KCL), 9th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT).

NB Clinical samples, e.g. blood, should not be handled in offices at any time and should be taken directly to the lab and not transited though offices where food and drink may be consumed. All sample processing should take place in the lab or clinical area.

The appropriate study consent must be in place from participants prior to sample collection, processing and storage.

 

Requirements

Each site must have as a minimum:

  • Venepuncture facilities
  • -20°C freezer
  • 4°C refrigerator
  • Sample collection tubes
    • Pink top K3EDTA tubes for whole blood for DNA
    • Purple top K2EDTA tubes for whole blood for RNA
  • Secure storage facilities for data and samples

 

Procedures

Procedures for biological Sample collections: 

 

  • Prior to sample collection ensure all tubes/containers are clearly labelled with the participant’s anonymised study number and date of collection. 
  • For sample labelling use a Staedtler® Lumocolor® permanent marker, fine tip, black. 

  • 12 ml of whole blood is collected in pink top K3EDTA vacuette tubes which are labelled with the participant’s study number and date of sample collection using a permanent marker. 
  • If able to freeze samples, blood is stored at -20OC and transferred on dry ice to the central co-ordinating site within 1 month.
  • If unable to freeze samples, blood samples are transferred to the central co-ordinating site within 2 days in postal safe boxes.
  • If able to extract DNA from the blood sample at partner site
    • Follow salting out procedure or use commercially available DNA extraction kits
    • Dilute DNA samples to 100-500ng/µl.
    • Place DNA sample in a 1.5ml eppendorf tube sealed with laboratory film (parafilm). Label eppendorf with the participant’s study number and date of sample collection using a permanent marker.
    • Transfer at room temperature to the central co-ordinating site.

  • 18ml of whole blood is collected in purple-top K2EDTA vacuette tubes which are labelled with the participant’s study number and date of sample collection using a permanent marker.
  • Vortex for 10s to ensure thorough mixing.
  • Transfer immediately to the central co-ordinating site at room temperature. Do not store at 4°C or freeze sample. 

  • 2ml of saliva is collected in a 1x OrageneÒ-DNA collection kit (DNA Genotek Inc., Canada) which is labelled with the participant’s study number and date of sample collection using a permanent marker.
  • Ensure lid is affixed securely.
  • Place inside a zip-lock specimen bag.
  • Store at ambient temperature and transport to central co-ordinating site within 1 month or when 10 samples have been collected, whichever is sooner. 

  • Two 6mm punch skin biopsies are obtained from a lesional site and a non-lesional site using standard protocols for biopsy sampling.
  • The specimens are wrapped in sterile gauze soaked in phosphate-buffered saline and placed into a sealed pot, which is labelled with the participant’s study number and date of sample collection using a permanent marker.
  • Transfer immediately to the central co-ordinating site at room temperature for further processing.

  • Tweezers are used to gently pull six hairs out, preferably from the occipital scalp.
  • The specimens are transferred to a pot containing HBSS (Hanks' balanced salt solution) medium to avoid drying out of the cells on the hair. The sealed pot is labelled with the participant’s study number and date of sample collection using a permanent marker.
  • Transfer immediately to the central co-ordinating site at room temperature for further processing.

  • See related SOP for transportation.
  • No patient identifiable documents or labels must be sent with the samples.
  • All patient identifiable paperwork must be sent by separate post.

 


Date: 23/10/14, Version 1