Cytogenetics Service

Comprehensive constitutional chromosome analysis is offered for a range of referrals (postnatal and prenatal) using high density oligonucleotide microarrays, G-banding karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).  Other DNA based cytogenetics tests employed by the laboratories include quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) and multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA).

 

Samples can be forwarded to other laboratories for tests not available in-house  e.g. prenatal samples for rapid QF-PCR testing, or prenatal and parental bloods for haemaglobinopathy testing. Cultured cells can be forwarded to specified locations as requested - please contact the lab to arrange this.

 

Cytogenetic testing:

 

Types of referral  
 Culturing cells

 Information sheet
 Disorders of sexual development and infertility   Information sheet
 Parental cytogenetic testing  Information sheet
 Postnatal microarray  Information sheet
 Pregnancy loss investigations using MLPA and QF-PCR  Information sheet
 Prenatal microarray  Information sheet
 Rapid aneuploidy testing for neonates  Information sheet
 Rapid prenatal aneuploidy testing  Information sheet

 

 

News

 

October 2017

 

Non-urgent cytogenetic tests are currently being reported at 7 weeks.  Urgent tests are meeting guideline turnaround times.  Please contact the laboratory if you consider a requested test to be urgent.

 

 

Downloadable documents: 


 

 

Sending samples to the cytogenetics laboratory

 

It is the responsibility of the patient's clinician to request a laboratory service/test and to ensure that all samples are correctly labelled and request forms completed to a minimum standard.

 

Consent is not required for DNA storage.  It is the responsibility of the clinician to obtain consent before requesting a genetic test.

 

Blood Samples

 

5ml venous blood in plastic EDTA bottles (>1ml from neonates) for DNA-based tests (e.g. microarray).

 

2ml venous blood in plastic lithium heparin bottles (at least 1ml from neonates).

 

Sample must be labelled with:

 

  • Patient's full name (surname/family name and given/individual name)
  • Date of birth and unique hospital/NHS number
  • It is desirable to have the date and time sample was taken and/or location as well the name of the person who took the sample

 

Prenatal Samples

 

Tissue type and date of biopsy should be clearly documented on the referral information together with the name of the person who took the sample.

 

In the case of twins, special attention must be given to the identity of each sample.

 

Minimum criteria:

 

  • Patient's full name (surname/family name and given/individual name)
  • Date of birth and/or unique hospital/NHS number

 

DNA Samples

 

The Association for Clinical Genetic Science (ACGS) guidelines recommend at least two pieces of identifying information on every sample tube.

 

  • Patient's full name (surname/family name and given/individual name)
  • Date of birth and/or unique hospital/NHS number
  • Other information provided with referrals should include a pedigree, where appropriate, with the full names of known individuals and correct family identifiers
  • If results are received e.g. allele numbers, a full explanation of the terminology should be included

 

 
Samples which do not meet these criteria may be rejected.
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