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Sample Preparation

I. Blood Collection from Mouse Tail

  1. Snip end of mouse tail (~ 0.5 cm) and collect blood in a capillary tube as drops appear. Keep samples on ice.
  • For plasma, centrifuge the tubes treated with anticoagulant immediately for 5 minutes at 2,000g, 4ºC.
  • For serum, allow the blood to clot for at least 30 minutes before centrifugation for 5 minutes at 10,000g, 4ºC.
  1. Transfer supernatant to a new eppendorf tube.
  2. Store samples at -80ºC. Deliver samples to us on dry ice to keep frozen.

II. Blood Collection from Mouse Heart

  1. Open chest of sacrificed mouse to expose heart. Use a 1 ml syringe with a 25 gauge needle to withdraw an appropriate amount of blood through the right ventricle.  Transfer the blood into a new eppendorf tube (for plasma, the tube should be treated with anticoagulant).  Keep samples on ice.
  • For plasma, centrifuge immediately for 5 minutes at 2,000g, 4ºC.
  • For serum, allow the blood to clot for at least 30 minutes before centrifugation for 5 minutes at 10,000g, 4ºC.
  1. Transfer supernatant to a new eppendorf tube.
  2. Store samples at -80ºC. Deliver samples to us on dry ice to keep frozen.

III. Human Sample Preparation

  • Please refer to the particular protocol published by each commercial supplier for the preparation of human samples or call/email us for consultation.
  • Please follow any institutional IRB requirements to have your human samples tested (this includes a statement concerning analysis in the Comprehensive Metabolic Core, methods for intercampus transportation and handling within the laboratory).
Notes
  1. Aliquot appropriate volume of samples to different eppendorf tubes if more than one assay will be tested.  Avoid multiple (>2) freeze / thaw cycles to samples.
  2. Avoid hemolysis when collecting samples.
  3. No service of cell and tissue extraction provided by our core.
  4. If needed, the cost of sample transportation will be on the client.
  5. If no particular instructions are provided, the leftover samples will be discarded one month after the assays are completed.
  6. Please contact us for sample volume we need.