Sample Management

Our Research and Approach
Sample management undertake DNA and RNA extraction from biological materials, provide automated QC and normalisation to the DNA pipelines teams, an archiving service to internal and external customers, management of the sites cryostores and irreplacable biological resources (IBRs).
Contact: sample-management@sanger.ac.uk
Services:
We currently register and process approximately 25-30,000 samples a month through the team; this is predominantly pre-extracted DNA though we are undergoing expansion of our RNA QC and Extraction pipelines. Samples will be processed using a laboratory information management system (LIMs) which provides unique Sanger IDs per sample as well as per container. Containers are also electronically stored using this ID in our growing freezer farm.
Samples are requested to be supplied in specific labware types as well as differing concentration/volume/total amounts depending on the destination pipeline team. This ensures that there is sufficient sample for QC and for successful downstream processing. The accepted labware types and requirements are available in our submission guidelines.
QC:
There are three types of Quality Check we offer in Sample Management all of which include concentration assessment using PicoGreen dsDNA quantitation assay. These are listed below and are visible in the QC Process flow diagram; click here to view this.
- Human - includes Fluidigm and EGel
- Bacterial/Viral
- Model - includes EGel
Fluidigm genotyping:
Currently Sample Management offer two types of Fluidigm chips capable of testing using three sets of assays as part of the standard human QC.
• 192.24 chip which utilises the 22 QC plex SNPs and 2 gender SNPs
• 96.96 DDD project chip which utilises 57 SNPs of which 22 are QC plex SNPs and 3 are gender SNPs
• 96.96 CGP project chip which utilises 95 SNPS of which 22 are QC plex SNPs and 3 are gender SNPs
Normalisation and Formatting:
Post QC Sample Management can normalise DNA/RNA samples in terms of concentration and volume using automated liquid handlers. Samples can also be re-arrayed according to their unique identifiers and downstream specifications.
Extraction platforms:
Sample Management have three automated platforms capable of extraction from differing input materials using QIAGEN chemistry.
QIAGEN BioRobot
Kits currently in house:
- QIAamp Investigator BioRobot
QIAcube
Kits currently in house:
- AllPrep DNA/RNA/miRNA Universal
- QIAamp DNA Blood Mini
- RNeasy Plus Mini
QIAsymphony
Kits currently in house:
- QIAsymphony DSP Virus/Pathogen Midi Kit, version 1
Archives:
Sample Management will distribute Sanger resources to external (alongside MTA) and internal customers. A clone request should be submitted using the electronic form using the link below; this will automatically generate an email to us via clonerequest@sanger.ac.uk. For a full list of externally available clones please search Tools, Clone Request.
http://www.sanger.ac.uk/form/Sanger_CloneRequests
MTA Information:
The resources listed for distribution externally can be made available only for academic, non-commercial research.
Please note: An MTA is required - please email a copy to us for approval signed by a duly authorised official from your organisation. We can now accept pdfs so no need to post a hard copy to us after approval. You will receive back a counter-signed copy in due course.
For the MTAs and for further legal information please see our legal page.
Please note: Resources cannot be sent unless MTA received.
Please also note that the resources listed here are the only ones currently distributed by the Wellcome Sanger Institute
For other resources please use the following sites:
• For the Sanger Institute human tilepath plates, MICER and bMQ clones please contact SourceBioScience:
http://www.lifesciences.sourcebioscience.com/genomecube/
• The RPCI/CHORI clones and Whitehead mouse and human fosmids can be obtained from the BACPAC Resource Centre:
http://bacpac.chori.org/
LN2:
The campus has two cryostores located in the Sulston Building for internal use. The team manage both rooms; providing single point of contact via ln2-sulston@sanger.ac.uk where all requests should be sent. Requests should include a completed storage request form; click here to download a copy of this. Please note, you will be required to fill in a storage request form each time you deposit samples. The information requested on the form must be provided as a pre-requisite for space being offered. We operate the hot-spare usage and will additionally provide a 'porterage' service to infrequent users with low volume requirements including advice on sample tubes/containers, labelling, barcoding and archival and retrieval of samples. We require notice of at least 1 working day and operate a daily service between 2pm and 3pm.
We offer HG1, HG2 and SAPO storage. An out-of-hours call service will also be co-ordinated by this team. Click here to view the guidelines for LN2 sample submission.