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Sample Preparation and Shipping

Bacterial Genome Sample Prep

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Bacterial Genome Sequencing with Extraction

Service LevelSizeSequencing Platform# of CellsPreservativeCost
Standard<7 MbONT4-6 x 10^9500 µL Zymo 1X DNA/RNA Shield$105
Big7-12 Mb$120
Hybrid<7 MbONT + Illumina$180
Big Hybrid7-12 Mb$210
01

Count your cells.

We require 4-6 x 10^9 cells (usually about 8-12 mL of culture at OD600 of 1.0). We accept cell pellets from both BSL1 and BSL2 strains.

02

Wash and pellet cells.

Pellet the cells by centrifugation and remove as much supernatant as possible.

Resuspend the pellet in 1 mL PBS to wash, then pellet again and remove supernatant.

Tips for best results:

  • A compact cell pellet with all the supernatant removed (e.g. E. coli pellets) should weigh approximately 15 mg.
  • A wet cell pellet where supernatant cannot be all removed without disturbing the pellet (e.g. Streptococcus sp. pellets) should be approximately 30-50 mg.
  • Please don’t send more than 50 mg of material or there will be too many cells to be protected from degradation by the DNA/RNA Shield.
     
03

Resuspend the pellet.

Resuspend the final pellet in 500 µL of Zymo 1X DNA/RNA Shield in a 2 mL screw cap tube.

Please do not use any other type of preservation media, as they do not preserve the DNA as effectively and do not fully inactivate the host cells, which is required for safe handling in our lab. 

04

Label your tubes.

Set up your order online and receive your unique 6-character order ID.

Label each 2 mL screw cap tube with the first two digits of your order code, sample number, and a plus (+) or minus (-) to indicate whether each strain is gram positive or gram negative. For example, "XX3-" would indicate order code XXYYZZ, sample 3, gram negative.
 

05

Package your tubes.

Ensure caps are closed firmly.

Place the labeled tubes into a small protective vessel (such as a Falcon tube, a small box, or bubble wrap) to protect them during shipping (Why?). If using a box, please load the samples row by row in numerical order, as this greatly reduces the handling time when receiving your samples.

Send cell pellets at room temperature. Dry ice and cold packs are not necessary.
 

06

Dropoff or ship.

Print out your order form. Fold so that QR code is readily visible and place in a small bag with your samples.

For fastest results and easiest shipping, place your samples in a Plasmidsaurus Dropbox!

If you ship your samples to us directly:

  • Place packaged samples in a sturdy cardboard or padded envelope or a cardboard box. If reusing old packaging, ensure that any hazard warnings are completely obliterated. Multiple orders can be shipped in the same package, as long as each order is placed into a separate bag with its corresponding order confirmation sheet.
  • Do not add ice packs or dry ice. Samples should be shipped at room temperature.
  • Ship via any Express or First-Class shipping carrier such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, or USPS. The shipping address will be provided on your order confirmation sheet.

     

If you aren't using a Plasmidsaurus dropbox, print and fill out the following documents:

  1. Commercial Shipping Invoice - Bacteria

    For best results, make sure to include the shipper's identity, shipper's address, and the quantity of items within the shipment.
     
  2. Detailed Description - Bacteria
    1. If your samples do NOT include animal derived additives then use the template for NO animal derived additives and provide a detailed name or description of the microbe/recombinant product, including genetic insert. Add your institution's letterhead, the date, and a signature.
    2. If they DO include animal derived additives then use the template for WITH animal derived additives. Provide a detailed name or description of the microbe/recombinant product, including genetic insert, as well as a list of the animal derived additives. Add your institution's letterhead, the date, and a signature.
       
  3. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Certificate - Bacteria (only if shipping from outside the US to US)
     

Further guidance for international shipping

  • If shipping to Cologne, certain sample types will require some additional information. Please reach out to support if you have any questions.
  • Make sure all forms are fully completed. Incomplete and/or missing forms will likely cause delays and other issues.
  • Keep an eye out for any communication or information requests from your shipping company of choice in case of issues. It is your responsibility to provide any information they request, and we advise following their guidance as their systems will have the most up-to-date customs information.
  • Samples must be packaged and shipped in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or International Air Transport Association (IATA)/ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and carrier regulations.
  • The information below constitutes only a recommendation for shipping samples classified as "non-regulated materials" to our facility. Due to continuing changes in state and federal regulations, clients should always check with their safety office and/or shipping department to ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Your international courier will require you to complete a commercial invoice to be included with the shipment.
  • The commercial invoice should describe the contents as “non-hazardous, non-contagious research sample.” Please list your institution as the "Manufacturer" of the samples if Manufacturers Identification (MID) code is required.
  • State that the “contents are Not Restricted under IATA DGR regulations.”
  • We recommend that you include a Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Certification. If you do not include this, the package may be delayed at customs until the courier receives the proper certification.
  • Declare the value of the goods to be $1.
  • We only accept pure DNA samples that are intended for Research Use Only! We DO NOT accept any samples for clinical diagnostics or trials. Any samples that do not conform to our submission guidelines will be discarded and/or submitted to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Why do I need these forms? Read more here.