Instructions

For local clients in Durham, Wake, and Orange County, NC

Clients may opt to have a KaryoLogic courier come to your lab
OR
Drop off specimens at KaryoLogic, Inc. at 5501 Fortunes Ridge Drive, Suite O, Durham, NC 27713.

Live, healthy, mitotically active cells in log phase of growth yield the best cytogenetic starting materials.

  • For adherent cell lines, prepare two 25cm2 flasks with cells at varying confluency, (e.g. 25% and 50%) with a minimum of 500,000 cells seeded per flask, for each sample OR three wells of a 6-well plate. Cultures should be subconfluent upon arrival thus minimizing contact inhibition of cells.
  • For suspension cultures, hand off to us whatever vessels you typically grow your cells in, 500,000 cells minimum.
  • For stem cells that require daily feeding please include an aliquot of complete media for at least 3 days of feeding.
  • Cells on feeder layers are not a problem.
  • Label everything clearly.
  • Place your order here preferably at least 24 hours in advance of your estimated drop off or pick up time.
    KaryoLogic will contact you to arrange the details of when and where to pick up your samples. Alternatively, specimens can be dropped off at KaryoLogic’s Durham location.

For long distance clients:

To prepare cells for shipping to KaryoLogic, Inc.
5501 Fortunes Ridge Drive, Suite O
Durham, NC 27713

Live, healthy, mitotically active cells in log phase of growth yield the best cytogenetic starting materials.

  • For adherent cell lines, prepare two 25cm2 flasks with cells at varying confluency, (e.g. 25% and 50%) with a minimum of 500,000 cells seeded per flask, for each sample. Cultures should be subconfluent upon arrival thus minimizing contact inhibition of cells.
  • For stem cells, culture on basement membrane (such as Matrigel) or feeder layers as usual. Prepare two 25cm2 flasks with cells at varying confluency, (e.g. 25% and 50%) with a minimum of 500,000 cells seeded per flask, for each sample. Include a tube of complete media for at least three days of feeding.
  • We realize that sending two flasks per sample is not always possible, however, this allows us to have a back-up in the case one breaks during shipment, and also allows us to process the cells under two different conditions and use what works best.
  • Fill each flask to the top with complete media.
  • Tighten the caps and wrap well with parafilm around the necks and caps of the flasks. (Vented caps typically do well and surprisingly do not leak.)
  • For suspension cultures, place at least 10 ml of the cell culture (minimum 500,000 cells) in a 15 ml tube, and wrap the top with parafilm. Also include a tube of at least 20 mls of complete media.
  • DO NOT include cold packs, ice packs, or warm packs. Ship at ambient temperature.
  • Label everything clearly. Enclose any special instructions.
  • Place flasks of adherent cultures in their shipping container in the same orientation as you would place them in an incubator, assuming that the top of the box (where the shipping label will be) is analogous to the top of the incubator. Indicate “Up” on the outside of the box so gravity will help the cells remain attached.
  • Triple package. For example, place inside a plastic bag, then Styrofoam container, then cardboard box. Fill the empty spaces with paper towels or packing material.
  • Ship overnight at ambient temperature to:
    KaryoLogic, Inc.
    5501 Fortunes Ridge Drive, Suite O
    Durham, NC 27713
  • Place your order here preferably at least 24 hours in advance of the estimated arrival.
  • Sending tracking information to us at [email protected] is helpful and much appreciated!