Blood DNA
Exceptions Blood is the preferred specimen type, unless the patient was the recipient of a heterologous bone marrow transplant  
Container EDTA Microtube
Acceptable Sources • Peripheral blood
• Cord blood is accepted if accompanied by a maternal blood sample		 • DNA extracted from whole blood collected in an EDTA tube
• If DNA is extracted from a cord blood sample, a maternal sample must be submitted.
Volume and Amount Children or Adults: 5-10 mL
Neonates: 3 mL		 2 µg at 50 ng/µL
Stability Can be refrigerated up to 7 days before shipping  
Labeling Label with at least two patient identifiers (patient name, and a second identifier such as date of birth) that match the accompanying requisition Label with at least two patient identifiers (patient name, and a second identifier such as date of birth) that match the accompanying requisition
Rejection Any blood specimen submitted in an incorrect container, that has been frozen and thawed, hemolyzed or clotted  
Shipping Ship at room temperature, ideally on a Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, or Thursday; If sample shipment is to take >48 hours, ship on ice (4oC).  
Collection LifeLabs does not offer sample collection for genome-wide sequencing performed through the GSO pilot project. We recommend that providers arrange for patients and family members to have samples drawn at the provider’s institutional laboratory, if feasible or via a community phlebotomy clinic other than LifeLabs.