Requirements by service
| Service | DNA mass | Concentration | DNA size | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3X-TGT Genotype (40 reads) | 3 µg | 50 ng/µL or more | Above 20 kb, DIN 7 or higher | 10 business days |
| 3X-TGT Profile (200 reads) | 5 µg | 50 ng/µL or more | Above 20 kb, DIN 7 or higher | 10 business days |
| 3X-TGT Deep (500 reads) | 15 µg | 50 ng/µL or more | Above 20 kb, DIN 7 or higher | 15 business days |
| Any Target region, by read level | As 3X-TGT | 50 ng/µL or more | Above 20 kb, DIN 7 or higher | As 3X-TGT |
| Whole genome or adaptive whole genome | 5 µg | 50 ng/µL or more | Above 20 kb, DIN 7 or higher | 15 business days |
| Whole genome plus 3X-TGT Profile | 10 µg | 50 ng/µL or more | Above 20 kb, DIN 7 or higher | 15 business days |
| TP-PCR and STR screen | 100 ng | 20 ng/µL | Any | 5 business days |
| Long-range PCR, one locus or panel | 20 to 100 ng | 10 ng/µL or more | Longer than the amplicon (2 to 8 kb) | 5 business days |
| Small-pool PCR by sequencing | 200 ng | 10 ng/µL or more | Longer than the amplicon | 15 business days |
Rush turnaround of 5 business days is available for 3X-TGT Genotype and Profile and of 3 business days for TP-PCR and long-range PCR, at 50 percent over list. Very limited samples can be discussed before shipping.
Accepted materials
| Material | 3X-TGT and genome | PCR sizing | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extracted genomic DNA | Preferred | Preferred | Ambient or on cold packs |
| EDTA blood (purple top) | Extracted at 3X | Extracted at 3X | 2 to 8 °C, never frozen; received within 14 days of collection |
| Saliva in a stabilizing collection kit | Extracted at 3X | Extracted at 3X | Ambient |
| Buccal swab, dried | Not accepted | Accepted | Ambient; received within 30 days of collection |
| Tissue, including muscle | Extracted at 3X | Accepted | Frozen on dry ice |
| Cultured cells or cell pellet | Extracted at 3X | Accepted | Frozen on dry ice |
| Mouse tail snip | Extracted at 3X | Accepted | Frozen on dry ice |
| FFPE-derived or degraded DNA | Not accepted | Accepted | Ambient or on cold packs |
Extraction at 3X uses magnetic-bead chemistry for blood and saliva and a high-molecular-weight method for tissue, cells and mouse tail, at $50 and $110 per sample. Not accepted: fixed tissue for 3X-TGT, samples ordered for patient care, and any material without the two identifiers described below.
DNA quality
Measure DNA concentration using a Qubit dsDNA assay or equivalent fluorescence-based method. Absorbance can overestimate DNA concentration because it also detects RNA and free nucleotides. Recommended purity ratios are A260/280 of 1.8 to 2.0 and A260/230 of at least 2.0.
Elute DNA in 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0 to 8.5, or low-EDTA TE. DNA should be RNase-treated and free of residual phenol, guanidine salts, ethanol, detergents and heparin. Phenol-chloroform extraction is not recommended.
3X-TGT requires intact DNA spanning the target and its flanking regions, with most of the mass above 20 kb (DIN 7 or higher). Use wide-bore tips, mix gently without vortexing and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. DNA fragment size is assessed at intake; sequencing read N50 is reported after sequencing.
Preparing a shipment
Submit each DNA sample in a labeled 1.5 mL screw-cap tube containing the full amount required for the order. For orders of 48 samples or more, use a sealed 96-well plate loaded down columns, starting A1 to H1, then A2 to H2.
Identify each sample by a sample ID that carries no patient-identifying information and a second identifier, such as collection date. Tube labels must match the manifest. For plates, provide a plate identifier and a manifest mapping each sample to its well.
Email a spreadsheet manifest before shipping and include a printed copy in the package. Include one row per sample with the sample ID, second identifier, material, concentration, volume, service and requested read level.
Ship by overnight courier Monday through Wednesday for business-day delivery to:
3X Genetics
218 Willard Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Email the tracking number to [email protected] on the day of shipment.
Arrange blood, saliva and swab shipments with 3X before sending so that packaging, classification and temperature requirements can be confirmed.
International shipments must be arranged in advance. For purified human genomic DNA, include a commercial invoice describing the contents as “non-infectious human genomic DNA for research.”
Intake, re-runs and retained material
| Situation | Handling |
|---|---|
| DNA below the minimum for the level ordered | Run at the highest level the DNA supports and billed at that level, or held for instruction |
| DNA below the minimum for any level | Not run and not charged |
| Run returns fewer reads than the level | One re-run from the retained library at no charge; billed at the level achieved |
| Fewer than 40 qualified reads after the re-run | No sequencing charge; the data are delivered |
| Twice the minimum DNA sent | The surplus is held at -20 °C until 90 days after data delivery |
| Data | Delivered by download link and retained for 90 days; raw signal (POD5) on request within those 90 days |
Remaining sample material is discarded at the end of the order unless its return is requested on the manifest.
Request a manifest template or a quote · [email protected]. Please do not include medical details.