Submitting a Sample

Shipping Information

5841 South Maryland Avenue
Room G701/MC0077
Chicago, IL 60637

Submission Questions

Phone: 773.834.0555

Email: ucglabs@bsd.uchicago.edu

Please note:

A client account needs to be set up prior to submission of specimen(s). If you don’t have an account, or are unsure if you have an account, please contact Venessa Gamboa at 312-213-5441 or at venessa.gamboa@uchicagomedicine.org. 

General Specimen Requirements and Shipping

  • Please complete client information form and send to Venessa.Gamboa@uchicagomedicine.org prior to submission of specimen(s). Client information form is used to create an account. Test will not be performed in absence of any missing information and without an account.

  • All samples should be shipped via overnight delivery at room temperature, to the address provided above.

  • We do not accept weekend or holiday deliveries. If a blood sample is drawn on a Friday, please refrigerate the specimen over the weekend and ship on the following Monday (overnight at room temperature).

  • Please label each specimen with at least two patient identifiers, such as patient’s name and date of birth, in addition to labelling with the date of sample collection. Samples which are not labelled with two identifiers will not be processed due to CAP requirements.
  • Please send a completed requisition form with each specimen. Specimen processing may be delayed if incorrect or incomplete paperwork is received. Each test page on our website has a link to the appropriate test requisition form to use for that particular test.

Postnatal Specimen Requirements

We are validated to accept a number of different specimen types. Please note that accepted specimen types vary depending on the methodology used for a given test. Please refer to the specific test page for the test you would like to order to determine what specimen types are accepted. 

  • Blood: For our molecular genetics tests we require 3-10cc blood in an EDTA (purple top) tube. For thyroid hormone studies, 3-10cc of blood in a red top tube is required.
    • Please note that for hereditary cancer testing for patients with hematological malignancies, blood samples are not accepted. Two T-25 flasks of cultured skin fibroblasts are recommended instead. Please contact the laboratory for more information. 
    • For patients who have undergone a transfusion, we can accept blood samples at least 2 weeks after a packed cell/platelet transfusion, and at least 4 weeks after a whole blood transfusion.
  • Extracted DNA: Specimen requirements for DNA samples vary by test, please contact us for more details. DNA samples are only accepted if the DNA extraction or isolation was performed at a CLIA-certified laboratory.
  • Saliva: We are validated to use the OraGene Saliva Collection Kits For Diagnostics. For most tests, one collection kit is sufficient.  If multiple tests are being ordered, two kits may be required; please contact our laboratory to discuss prior to sending.  
  • Cultured cells: Two T-25 flasks of cultured cells. Please place label with patient information on the side of each flask, not on the top or bottom.
  • Buccal swabs: We are able to accept buccal swabs for many of our tests.  We use a specific buccal swab kit that is validated for testing in our laboratory.  Please contact us to arrange to have a buccal swab kit collection kit sent to you for sample collection. 
  • Skin biopsy: A skin biopsy can be sent to our lab for culturing. The preferred size of the biopsy is 3mm. It should be collected in sterile media (e.g. RPMI) or saline. Ship the specimen at room temperature. If the specimen is being held overnight, it may be refrigerated to decrease the possiblity of contamination. Please contact the laboratory for more information and refer to the Quick Guide for the cell culturing service fee. 

Prenatal Specimen Requirements

PLEASE NOTE: The laboratory will not maintain a backup culture unless specifically requested. Please contact the laboratory prior to sending any prenatal specimens.

  • Amniotic Fluid: 10cc amniotic fluid. For targeted mutation analysis, testing can typically be performed on DNA isolated directly from amniotic fluid, however sometimes we cannot get enough DNA from the direct sample and in these situations a back-up culture will be requested (2 T25 flasks).  For amniotic fluid samples we will use all the sample for DNA isolation, and will not set up a back up culture as standard.  Thus, we recommend that clients start a back-up culture at their facility or elsewhere.  If your institution is unable to set up a back-up culture and you would like us to set up a culture here instead, please contact us prior to sending the sample to discuss specimen requirements. 
  • Chorionic Villi: 25-30mg chorionic villi. For targeted mutation analysis, testing can typically be performed on DNA isolated directly from chorionic villi, however sometimes we cannot get enough DNA from the direct sample and in these situations a back-up culture will be requested (two T25 flasks).  For direct chorionic villi samples we will use all the sample for DNA isolation, and will not set up a back up culture as standard.  Thus, we require that for direct CVS samples, clients must start a back-up culture at their facility or elsewhere.  If your institution is unable to set up a back-up culture and you would like us to set up a culture here instead, please contact us prior to sending the sample to discuss specimen requirements. 
  • Cultured Cells: Two T25 flasks of cultured cells. Please place label with patient information on the side of each flask, not on the top or bottom.
  • Maternal blood sample for MCC studies: please send 3-10cc of mother’s blood in an EDTA/purple top tube to rule out maternal cell contamination (MCC). Test results may be delayed if a maternal blood sample is not received.