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For cases of uncertain origin/ possible sample mix up please send:

  1. Fresh tissue or paraffin sections (10x10um) from the block of uncertain origin.
  2. Blood, tissue or paraffin sections known to be derived from the patient/s involved.

NB: The most reliable sample for this purpose is a fresh blood sample from the patient/s. Please wear gloves to process all blocks for identity testing.

 

Please clean the area surrounding the microtome, the blade and the front and back of the blade holder, prior to processing each block.

Please send paraffin-embedded samples in an Eppendorf tube (available from Exeter Genomics Laboratory) labelled with name, date of birth and block number.

Examples

Example 1: Is Block A from patient 1 or patient 2?

Please send:

  1. 10 x 10um sections from block A
  2. A sample from patient 1 for comparison with block A.
  3. A sample from patient 2 for comparison with block A

Blood, tissue or paraffin sections may be sent for comparison. However, a fresh blood sample from each patient is the most reliable sample for this purpose.

Example 2: Have blocks C and D been mixed up?

Is block C from patient C or is it from patient D and vice versa?

Please send:

  1. 10 x 10um sections from blocks C and D
  2. A sample known to be derived from patient C and patient D (preferably fresh blood)

Example 3: For “floaters”

Please send:

  1. Paraffin sections (10 x 10um sections) from the main specimen within the block WITHOUT FLOATER.
  2. Macro dissected FLOATER ONLY in paraffin

NB: If macro dissection is not possible please send Paraffin sections (10 x 10um) from the whole block. However, please note this assay can only reliably detect a secondary DNA sample, such as a “floater”, in a background of genomic DNA when present at a level of approximately 10% or greater.

Please send samples by first class post or courier, see the ‘sending samples to Exeter Genomics Laboratory’ section.