How much sample do I need to provide?

This depends entirely on what tests you want to run.  For anything on the Vitros 250, it is 40uL plus 10uL per test.  e.g. If you wanted to run cholesterol and triglyceride, you would need to provide 60uL of sample.

Unfortunately, for the ELISA kits the sample volume ranges from 10-100uL, depending on the protocol.  

Most of the cytokine panels use 60uL of sample to run 1-20 cytokines.  A more precise number will be given when you inform the Core of the cytokines you would like to run and on what species.

How do I pay?

At the end of each month, an invoice is sent out to each PI for the services rendered that month.  He/She then pays with an IDR.

Do you do tests on urine?

Yes, we can do the following tests on urine:  AMYL, BUN, Ca, CREA, GLU, K , Mg, Na , PHOS, URIC, and UPRO.  They are done on the Vitros 250, so sample volume and price can be found on the Vitros link to the left.

What is the best sample collection method?

Any method to decrease the amount of hemolysis is best.  For blood draws, collect blood using at least 21-gauge needle to avoid hemolysis.  Serum can be obtained by allowing the blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes and then centrifuging at 2000-3000 rpm for 10 minutes at 4°C.  Serum separator tubes that can be purchased from Becton Dickinson (order number 365956, vendor: J J Nita Burgoon Co.).

What kind of sample prep do I need to do?

All of the tests on Vitros 250 need no sample prep.  However, the least amount of hemolysis possible is best.  Only for a few analytes do specific inhibitors need to be added.  A couple of the more common ones are DPPIV for GLP-1 measurements, Protease Inhinitor cocktail for amylin, and Serine protease inhibitor for active ghrelin.  Leptin, insulin, and free fatty acids are common ones that do NOT need sample prep.  If you are unsure about an analyte in question, please contact Laura Brule.

How far in advance do I need to contact the Core about samples/mice?

Please allow two weeks for plates to be ordered and come in.  For Vitros, samples can be brought in at any time to room L5.108.  An e-mail to the core is recommended but not required.  Reservations for the metabolic cages are first come first serve, so it is best to reserve them as early as possible.  

What is the turn-around time?

NMR and MRI - same day

Vitros - same day or the next

Plates/kits (Luminex, ELISAs, etc.) - 2-3 days.

Tissue extractions - 3 days

Analysis for the metabolic cages is provided on a CD the Monday following the week of the experiment.  

CT scans are approximately 2 days per mouse

How do I need to bring the samples?

Samples can be brought in frozen or thawed on ice.  If we do not have the plate or kit in yet that you are wanting to run, we will freeze your samples at -80°C until they arrive.  We will keep to a minimum freeze-thaw cycles.  Please make sure that the sample IDs are legible and in chronological or numerical order.