Sample Information

Sample collection - liquid samples - leukaemia patients and non-trial solid tumour patients.

Bone marrow aspirates, peripheral blood, CSF from participants with both solid and liquid tumours are sent to UK Biocentre for processing and storage. Occasionally saliva or urine may be collected and these should be frozen on site then sent to Newcastle Biobank.

Additional samples (few ml) are collected during routine collection using sample packs and tubes provided and posted in postage paid safe boxes.

If possible, the following liquid samples are requested:

Bone marrow aspirate - 5ml in yellow capped ACD tube*

Peripheral blood - 5ml in brown capped Streck tube

CSF - few drops in blue capped 'Falcon' tube

* Please note - ACD tubes may be used for several weeks after their expiry date with no detriment to the samples.

Sending samples to UK Biocentre

Samples should be packed into the Safeboxes provided and posted the same day. 

1. Place sample tubes in the spaces in the absorbent packaging, seal in the plastic bag and place in the clear compartment of the Safebox
2. Place the completed Sample Information Sheet in the other compartment
3. Close the lid and wrap the adhesive label around the Safebox
4. Attach the label, ensuring you complete the return address and add the address label
5. Samples should be posted to:
   UK Biocentre
   Units 2&3 Java Park
   Bradbourne Drive
   Tilbrook
   Milton Keynes
   MK7 8AT

Sample collection - patients with solid tumours

Solid tumour trial patients

Please follow the sampling guidelines in the trial specific laboratory manual.

Paxgene tubes (where required) may be orderd in the clinical pack reorder section of this website.

Please note:

Peripheral blood from trial patients must not be sent to UK Biocentre or collected in a Streck tube.

Solid samples

Needle biopsies, surgical resections, frozen samples, formaln-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples mainly collected by liaison with patholgy departments and sent to VIVO Biobank on a periodic basis.

If possible, the following samples are requested from all solid samples:

Fresh frozen tumour biopsy or resected tumour

FFPE tumour biopsy or resected tumour.