Which would be better: to send the blood samples to the lab or the genomic DNA extracted from these samples? Whichever case, kindly help spell out the procedures to follow or suggest alternative methods.
I would suggest sending genomic DNA because I imagine getting the import permit for blood samples can be painstaking. Here are some advices from my experience in sending plant genomic DNA to the Philippines which has strict plant quarantine rules:
- use a reliable courier service that can not only ship your samples in dry ice but replenish the dry ice during shipping and processing by the quarantine centre.
- get the appropriate permits in your country. I had to get my samples examined at the plant quarantine centre before a phytosanitary permit was issued (needed by Philippines plant quarantine centre). No export permit was required in my case.
- obtain an import permit through the servicing lab. My collaborator in Philippines requested a letter of intent from me and applied the import permit. I attached the import permit with my samples.
- make sure you have good communications with both the servicing lab, courier company and immigration/quarantine centre. Your samples can be sitting in the quarantine centre for weeks if you do not have all the documents.
Thanks Melissa, I've found your contributions really insightful.
I agree with the comments from Melissa. Additionally I have had very good experience with SNP genotyping performed on LCGgenomics in UK (http://www.lgcgenomics.com/genotyping/genotyping-services/). They use an allele-specific fluorescent PCR method which works quite well (KASPAR assay). In my view they are serious, fast and provide the cheapest option I found after looking hard.
Good luck !
jorge
Agree with earlier comments. Over 15 years, I had received genomic DNA dry residue in microfuge tubes from several European collaborators. First have your institutional approval for an MTA ( material transfer agreement), and with proper declaration forms duly signed so that the samples are not stuck at customs of the recipients country.
From my experience, liquid forms of samples are a pain in transit even on dry ice. If you send hundreds or thousands of samples, tube caps can pop open in transit and make it difficult to explain cross contamination, loss of sample and a whole bunch of issues. A normalized sample (100 or 50 NG/UL), a 20ul per sample in an eppendorf tube may be allowed to evaporate to dry residue overnight in a bio safety hood. I would cap and send them without a need for dry ice or ice packs. The recipient can reconstitute and do the dilution as needed. Hope this helps.
Jorge, thanks for the link. Bhaskar, I prefer your suggestion because of having to do away with the problems of dry ice. Thanks.
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