GUIDELINES FOR BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION FOR
GENETIC TESTING

1. The venous blood sample can be collected by venipuncture at any time of the day on EDTA as an anticoagulant after obtaining written informed consent from the subjects after explaining the rationale for the study.
   
2. It is preferable to take venous blood in 2 vials of 5-10 ml each (2-4 ml of blood can be
   collected for the neonatal patients). After collection of blood the tubes have to be shaken well.
   
3. The samples can be labeled and kept in fridge for a day or two and need to be kept in
   deep freezer (-20ºC) after that period.
4. Additionally, 2ml of fasting and post prandial serum sample may also be collected and
   sent.
   
• Collect 5 ml of blood sample in a plain tube
• Allow the blood to clot for 30 minutes, centrifuge and separate the serum samples
  (~0.5 ml) in a sterile & leak proof containers (Sera samples should be analyzed
  soon after separation or stored, preferably in aliquots at -20 degree Celsius till
  transportation. Do not send Lipaemic and haemolysed samples)
• Samples should be packed with dry ice.
• Do not allow the sample to thaw (with dry ice for transportation)
  
5. The blood and serum samples can be sent through courier with sufficient dry ice to
   ensure samples do not thaw and packaged in a manner that prevents breakage or leakage.
   
6. Samples from both parents and siblings (whether affected or unaffected with diabetes) are
   to be included whenever possible.
   
7. The samples should be transported on dry ice/gel packs to Madras Diabetes Research
   Foundation (MDRF) along with filled in questionnaire and detailed pedigree details.
   
8. Please e-mail (radharv@yahoo.co.in/ mathi.dale@gmail.com) before sending samples.
   
   Send samples to:
   Dr. Radha Venkatesan, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation,
   No.4, Conran Smith Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai-600086, India.
   Tel. +91 43968888 extn 8285/ +9147405900, Mobile: 09840106815, 09884776545.