Chromosome diagnostics postnatal

Required sample material

For normal chromosome analysis from blood, please send:

Heparinised whole blood (adults 5-7 ml, children 3-5 ml, newborns 1-2 ml)
NH4-Heparinate S-Monovettes (Sarstedt REF 01.1603) or disposable syringes with approx. 20 to max. 200 µl heparin sodium (5000 I.U./ml) (final concentration 10 to max. 100 I.U. heparin/ml sample material). Please do not send Li heparin blood or EDTA blood!

Possible other tissues:

Fibroblasts: (skin, etc.)
Skin punch with approx. 3 mm edge length (reaching to the basal membrane) in sterile physiological NaCl solution or cell culture medium.
Abortion material: (chorionic villi, egg membrane, umbilical cord)

Fresh, non-fixed tissue: chorionic/placental villi 10 mg;

Other tissue: at least 5 x 5 mm edge length in sterile physiological NaCl solution or cell culture medium.

Bone marrow: please click on tumour cytogenetics

For prenatal chromosome analysis: please click on prenatal chromosome diagnostics

The material should be sent uncooled by express mail. The sample transport time is of great importance in cytogenetics, as cell cultures have to be created. All samples should therefore arrive in our laboratory the day after collection. Please do not send samples over the weekend!

Please send the samples to the following address:

Heidelberg University Hospital
Institute of Human Genetics
Cytogenetic Laboratory
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366
69120 Heidelberg

Please label each sample container clearly with the surname, first name and date of birth of the patient and use our request forms.

The request forms are structured in such a way that we have all the necessary information about the patient and the patient consent form (where required) for the examination order.

Please complete the request forms carefully to avoid unnecessary enquiries and please understand that we cannot accept unlabelled sample containers.

Please bear in mind that we can only carry out genetic analyses if we have the patient's written consent!

Request form for cytogenetics and FISH diagnostics