Blood or tissue samples
are generally required for gene hunting projects. The white blood cells (WBC)
are isolated from the blood sample, which also contains plasma and red blood
cells (RBC). WBCs are a very small portion of the entire blood sample! DNA
is isolated from the WBCs. Pure plasma or RBCs should have very little DNA.
Since WBCs are needed, the blood sample should be collected in a tube or with
a syringe that has an anti-coagulant. Any anti-coagulant can be used, including
EDTA (purple top, ACD (yellow top) or heparin (green top). Purple top tubes
are preferred since heparin can interfere with some DNA assays. If serum tubes
(red top) are used, the WBCs will be engulfed by the clot and be very difficult
to isolate. DNA can be isolated but it requires more isolation steps, thus
please send these samples if red top tubes were accidently used.
We prefer to collect approximately
5 - 10 mls of blood thus please collect 2 - 3 of the smallest purple top tubes.
One tube can be collected from kittens.
Instructions
for sending blood samples:
Samples need to be sent
immediately by overnight courier, thus please arrange for the samples to be
collected early in the day and early in the week.
When you make the veterinary
appointment, please inquire if the sample can be picked-up by an overnight
courier from the clinic, otherwise you must be prepared to get the sample
to the courier.
You must package the
sample as described below, thus be prepared with the packaging.
A FEDEX account number can
be used for funded projects, thus please contact the lab for the account number.
Please send an e-mail to the lab The
Lyons' Den or call: (530) 752-7127.
If a sample can not be sent
the same day, refrigerate the sample until shipping the next day.
If a sample can not be sent
for several days, the sample should be frozen and then sent as a frozen sample.
If the sample must
be sent on a Friday, please contact the lab for a different address for a
Saturday delivery. Please send an e-mail to the lab The
Lyons Den or call: (530) 752-7127.
Notify the lab that
the sample is being shipped. Please send an e-mail to the lab The
Lyons Den or call: (530) 752-7127. Please provide your contact information,
especially your own phone and or e-mail address, so that we can notify you
of the sample's arrival.
Please include details on
the sample, such as a pedigree and project information. Many samples come
to the lab and may be processed by various individuals.
Packaging Instructions:
Place the tube in a zip lock
baggie. (If the tube breaks, then the sample is contained.
Wrap the baggie in several
paper towels for padding and insulation.
Place the sample in a small
box with one frozen ice pack.
The sample should not freeze,
thus be sure to insulate the tube from the ice pack with several paper towels.
Seal the sample in the box.
Mail samples to:
Dr. Leslie A. Lyons
1114 Tupper Hall
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of California,
Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-7127
(required for courier)
Re-imbursement for
blood sample collection:
Many projects have
special funding thus the cost for the collection of samples for these projects
can be re-imbursed. Re-imbursement can be made directly to the owner or the
veterinary clinic. The owner will have to provide a proper mailing address,
phine number and social security number to be established as a vendor by the
university. Re-imbursement should take only a week or so. Re-imbursement can
also be made directly to the veterniary clinic if they will accept a payment
after the procedure. Invoices should be sent with the samples or by a separate
mailing.
All samples are for
research purposes only. Any donations of sampling costs and shipment expenses
is greatly appreciated!
Last update: November 30, 2004 This site is under continual
development. Please visit again soon! Many of the current pages are the place
holders for future information. Please provide suggestions to the webmaster:
felinegenome@ucdavis.edu
