Specimen Requirements: Biopsy site should be cleaned using a sterile gauze pad saturated with acetone. DO NOT use antiseptic soaps or iodine. Allow to dry. If local anesthetic is used, we recommend a lidocaine solution without epinephrine. Obtain a piece of skin (full thickness) 3-5 mm in diameter. Transfer specimen to a tube containing tissue culture medium [preferred] or sterile isotonic saline solution (tubes available upon request). Fill tube completely. Cap tightly and seal with Parafilm. Refrigerate specimen until shipment (do not freeze).

Turn Around Time: 2-3 weeks

Products of Conception/Fetal Tissue/Placenta:

Specimen Requirements: Selected tissue specimens should be obtained from abortus material. Preferred tissues are sternal cartilage, skin from the upper arm or thigh, fetal membranes, cord, or placenta near cord attachment. In the case of an IUFD, send both fetal tissue and a specimen of placenta. Place specimen (s) in a tube (s) containing tissue culture medium [preferred] or sterile isotonic saline solution (tubes available upon request). Fill tube completely. Cap tightly and cover with Parafilm. Refrigerate until shipment (do not freeze).

Turn Around Time: 2-3 weeks

Tissue Culture Only (Fibroblast): Long-term culture of fibroblasts from skin biopsy for use in enzyme analysis, DNA analysis, etc.

Specimen Requirements: Biopsy site should be cleaned using a sterile gauze pad saturated with acetone. DO NOT use antiseptic soaps or iodine. Allow to dry. If local anesthetic is used, we recommend a lidocaine solution without epinephrine. Obtain a piece of skin (full thickness) 3-5 mm in diameter. Transfer specimen to a tube containing tissue culture medium [preferred] or sterile isotonic saline solution (tubes available upon request). Fill tube completely. Cap tightly and seal with Parafilm. Refrigerate specimen until shipment (do not freeze).

Turn Around Time: 2-3 weeks

Cryopreservation of Solid Tissues: Freezing and storage of cells from solid tissues.

Specimen Requirements: See specimen requirements of various tissues above.

Thawing and Expansion of Frozen Cells: Thawing of previously frozen cells and culture of cells to expand the cell line for further studies.

Specimen Requirements: For use with previously cryopreserved tissues.

Turn Around Time: 1-2 weeks