Sample and Shipping Information
Review clinical specimen collection requirements, sample volumes, storage criteria, mandatory labeling guidelines, and priority shipping instructions for Cohesion Phenomics.
Accepted Specimen Types & Requirements
Carefully review collection protocols, required volumes, and shipping conditions for each specimen type to ensure test accuracy and prevent sample rejection.
Specimen – Blood
Whole blood drawn in two lavender top (EDTA) tubes or yellow top tubes (acid citrate dextrose).
Refrigerate sample until time of shipping. Ship sample at room temperature in an insulated container by overnight delivery.
- Frozen specimen
- Hemolysis
- Insufficient Quantity
- Improper container
Specimen – Saliva
Saliva collected and stored in an official Norgen or Oragene Saliva kit.
Store saliva at room temperature, avoiding lengthy refrigeration. Mail sample to the laboratory immediately after collection.
- Insufficient Quantity
Specimen – DNA
Genomic DNA purified from peripheral venous whole blood, saliva, cultured fibroblasts, or tissues.
DNA must be extracted in a CLIA or similarly accredited laboratory.
5–10 µg of DNA in TE buffer at a minimum concentration of 50 ng/µL.
DNA specimens should be shipped overnight at room temperature. We recommend including cold packs in hot weather or if shipping is expected to take longer than overnight to keep the specimen at 2°C to 8°C (35.6°F to 46.6°F). Frozen DNA specimens should be shipped overnight using cold packs.
- Collection date
- Source of the DNA (which tissue or specimen type?)
Labeling Instructions
The container must be labeled with:
The Patient’s Full Name
Legibly write or print the patient's full legal name exactly as provided on the requisition.
One Additional Identifier
Must include at least one: Date of birth (DOB) or Medical record number (MRN).
Specimen Collection Date
Exact date the specimen was collected from the patient prior to shipment.
Matching Requirement
The patient’s name and at least one additional unique identifier written on the container must match the name and identifier provided when the test order was placed. We recommend including more than one additional unique identifier to ensure a match.
Shipping Instructions
When shipping samples, please follow the IATA regulations and the "three layers of packaging" rule to avoid the risk of having the package destroyed by the courier.
PRIMARY SAMPLE RECEPTACLE
A primary sample receptacle sealed (collection tube).
SPECIMEN BAG WITH ABSORBENT
A leak-proof specimen bag containing absorbent material.
RIGID OUTER PACKAGING
An outer packaging that meets the local postal regulations and is labeled as “Exempt Human Specimen.”
FedEx Priority Overnight Guidelines
- Please send the specimen in a crush-proof container via FedEx Priority Overnight (in accordance with the FedEx Packaging Guidelines for Clinical Samples).
- Please contact Cohesion Phenomics to obtain the FedEx account number.
- Pricing includes return shipping when sent from: US, Canada, and Australia.
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Receiving Schedule:
Specimen packages are accepted Monday through Friday. We recommend that you send your package so that it leaves your facility Monday through Thursday.
Please do not request Saturday delivery. - International Shipments: If you ship your specimen from outside the United States, your shipping carrier will require three copies of a commercial (pro-forma) invoice. A sample invoice for DNA is available upon request. Please be sure to also include a customs declaration form.
Cohesion Phenomics
Clinical Genetics Processing Center
230 Spindale St, Suite B
Spindale, NC 28160
Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST