Cytogenetics and Genomics Department

Please contact our Department on Tel: +(357) 22392696 to schedule your appointment before sending Peripheral Blood sample for chromosomal analysis.

If you have a patient for which you believe a cytogenetic analysis is needed, please fill out both sides of the original Department of Cytogenetics referral form (green), or print and fill out a copy of the referral form from here (Adobe Reader needed)
 
Note: Only physicians or health professionals are allowed to request testing.

Note: All samples received by the department MUST have the patient’s name clearly written on the tube. Unlabeled samples will not be accepted. Also all samples received by the department MUST have a reason for referral written on the referral form. 

Please check the sample-specific instructions listed below in regard to obtaining and packaging the sample.

I. CHORIONIC VILLI SAMPLING (CVS)
 
Please collect 10 mg of tissue aseptically and transfer in a sterile 25 ml tube containing HAM F-10 solution and 1% heparin as transport medium. STERILITY MUST BE MAINTAINED - do not open the tubes once the specimen has been collected. Make sure caps are airtight. Place tubes in a shipping container right side up. Room temperature is fine - DO NOT FREEZE! Ship to department as soon as possible.

Note: The sample must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. In the case that same day delivery is not possible, samples should be stored at 4-8 oC. Delivery of samples MUST not exceed 48 hours from the time of collection.

Note: Local (within Cyprus) physicians or health professionals that require transport medium for CVS are requested to contact the department 24 hours prior to sample collection in order to arrange preparation and delivery of needed materials to them.
 
 
 
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II. AMNIOTIC FLUID SPECIMENS
 
Please draw 20 ml of amniotic fluid. After the amniotic fluid specimen is drawn in two syringes, transfer from syringes to two sterile, disposable centrifuge tubes (Falcon 50ml or Coming 50ml centrifuge tubes). STERILITY MUST BE MAINTAINED - do not open the tubes once the specimen has been collected. Make sure caps are airtight.
 
Place tubes in a styrofoam shipping container right side up. Room temperature is fine - DO NOT FREEZE! Ship to department as soon as possible.
 
Note: The sample must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. In the case that same day delivery is not possible, samples should be stored at 4-8 oC. Delivery of samples MUST not exceed 48 hours from the time of collection.
 
 
 
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III. FETAL AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD DRAWING FOR CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS AND FISH
 
Draw in a sterile sodium heparinized vacutainer (green top) 7ml blood (~2 ml is generally sufficient for a routine karyotyping on a baby). After drawing the vacutainer, gently mix the specimen to prevent clotting. Place the specimen and data sheet in a styrofoam container to prevent freezing or overheating. Ship to department as soon as possible. STERILITY MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
 
Note: The sample must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. In the case that same day delivery is not possible, samples should be stored at 4-8 oC. Delivery of samples MUST not exceed 48 hours from the time of collection.

Note: Collection MUST be carried out in sodium heparinized vacutainers (green top). If you do not have these tubes please contact the Department expediently to arrange timely delivery of materials to you.

 
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IV. TISSUE SPECIMENS [Products Of Conception (POC), Aborted fetuses, Biopsies]
 
Products Of Conception (POC)
 
For chromosomal analysis of products of conception (POC), embryonic tissue (preferably placental) must be collected under aseptic conditions and immediately transferred to a leak proof sterile tube (Falcon 50ml or Coming 50ml centrifuge tubes) containing sterile saline. Do not place in formalin. Place tubes in a styrofoam shipping container right side up. Room temperature is fine - DO NOT FREEZE! Ship to department as soon as possible.
 
Note: The sample must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. In the case that same day delivery is not possible, samples should be stored at 4-8 oC. Delivery of samples MUST not exceed 24 hours from the time of collection
 
Aborted fetuses
 
For chromosomal analysis of aborted fetuses please collect a tissue sample by removing a piece of about 3-4mm3 from the buttock (whole fetuses cannot be accepted). Immediately transfer to a leak proof sterile tube (Falcon 50ml or Coming 50ml centrifuge tubes) containing sterile saline. Do not place in formalin.
 
Place tubes in a styrofoam shipping container right side up. Room temperature is fine - DO NOT FREEZE! Ship to department as soon as possible.
 
Note: The sample must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. In the case that same day delivery is not possible, samples should be stored at 4-8 oC. Delivery of samples MUST not exceed 12 hours from the time of collection.
 
 
 
Biopsies
 
For chromosomal analysis please collect a tissue sample by removing a piece of about 3-4mm3 from a region with the least amount of fatty deposits. Immediately transfer to a leak proof sterile tube (Falcon 50ml or Coming 50ml centrifuge tubes) containing sterile saline. Do not place in formalin.
 
Place tubes in a styrofoam shipping container right side up. Room temperature is fine - DO NOT FREEZE! Ship to department as soon as possible.
 
Note: The sample must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. In the case that same day delivery is not possible, samples should be stored at 4-8 oC. Delivery of samples MUST not exceed 12 hours from the time of collection.
 

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V. FETAL AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD DRAWING FOR DNA AND/OR NGS ANALYSIS
 
Draw in a sterile EDTA tube 5 - 10ml (from parents and patients-purple top blood / 2ml is generally sufficient for fetal blood).). After drawing the vacutainer, gently mix the specimen to prevent clotting. Place the specimen and data sheet in a styrofoam container to prevent freezing or overheating. Ship to department as soon as possible. STERILITY MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
 
Note: The sample must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. In the case that same day delivery is not possible, samples should be stored at 4-8 oC. Delivery of samples MUST not exceed 48 hours from the time of collection.
 
Note: Collection SHOULD be carried out in EDTA vacutainers (purple top). If you do not have these tubes please contact the Department expediently to arrange timely delivery of materials to you.

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VI. Pre-implantation Genetic Testing with array CGH or NGS

For PGT services please contact the department to obtain instructions.

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 VII. SPERM DNA FRAGMENTATION

For Sperm DNA fragmentation referrals please contact the department to obtain instructions.

Requesting Packing Materials
 
Please use the following contact information to request sample packaging materials and Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics referral forms (green).
 
Tel:  +(357) 22 392 696  
Fax: +(357) 22 392 793
Email [email protected]