Technical Questions

1. Which tubes should be used to draw peripheral blood?
Although it is necessary to evaluate the type of tube for every other disease, generally it can be summarized as heparinized tubes for cytogenetic analysis, EDTA tubes for molecular genetic analysis and dry or EDTA tubes for molecular infection analysis.

2. Which tube should be used for cord blood?
Heparinized tube for chromosome analysis, EDTA tube for single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis and achondroplasia, EDTA or dry tube for molecular infection analysis according to the test should be used for cord blood.

3. How to collect and transport abort material?
A few samples of 1 cm3 should be taken from the regions of femur, forearm and placenta into the transport medium. If fetus is not developed enough to be determined easily, fetal corionic villus material of 1 cm3 which is supposed to belong to fetus may be sent. Since risk of contamination increases please do not send whole fetus.
Biopsy area should be rinsed with sterile water after cleaning by the antiseptic soap. Please do not use alcohol or iodine preparations. Apply punch biopsy of 4 mm containing whole layers of dermis. It should be transported in 24 hours and shouldn’t be contaminated.

4. What is CVS and how to transport?
CVS can be done through the cervix (transcervical) or through the abdomen (transabdominal). CVS usually takes place 10-12 weeks after the last period, earlier than amniocentesis. 10 mg CVS should be collected in an injector containing 3-4 ml medium. Needle should not be winded up and piston has to be fixated with pflaster to be able to prevent sample leak out.


General Questions

1. What kinds of genetic analyses are performed in Burc Genetic Diagnostic Center?
Our laboratory performs molecular genetics, molecular infection, prenatal cytogenetics, postnatal cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics analyses.

2. How can I send samples from another country?
After you have your blood drawn into a lavender-top tube (EDTA tube) you can send us in room temperature (without ice) via cargo (international companies such as FedEx, DHL, TNT). Please download consent form from our website and send with the sample. (http://www.burclab.com/en/genetic/test-requests/consent-form)

3. How can I pay for my analysis?
You can visit our website for payment options.
(http://www.burclab.com/en/genetic/test-requests/payment-options)

4. Can we learn our other genetic diseases according to the results of paternity testing?
No, with paternity testing we can just determine the biological father or/and mother of the child. Absolutely, other diseases are not performed.

5. What is DNA, gene, chromosome and exon?
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms.
Chromosome: In the nucleus of each cell, the DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes. Each chromosome is made up of DNA tightly coiled many times around proteins called histones that support its structure.
Gene: A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes, which are made up of DNA, act as instructions to make molecules called proteins.
Exon: An exon is the portion of a gene that codes for amino acids.

6. What is PCR?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a laboratory technique used to amplify DNA sequences.

7. What are Conventional PCR and RT-PCR?
RT-PCR is used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule. Conventional PCR is classical PCR which we use in our laboratory.

8. What are RFLP and DNA sequencing?
RFLP is a common method used to detect mutations by using fragment of DNA of predictable size resulting from digestion (cutting) of a strand of DNA by a given restriction enzyme. DNA sequence alterations (mutations) that destroy or create the sites at which a restriction enzyme cuts DNA change the size (and number) of DNA fragments resulting from digestion by a given restriction enzyme.
DNA sequencing is a laboratory technique used to determine the exact sequence of bases (A, C, G, and T) in a DNA molecule.

9. What is FISH? Why is it used? Which tubes should be used to draw blood for FISH?
FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) is a cytogenetic technique that is used to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. FISH is mostly used for rapid aneuploidy analysis for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y. It is also used for haematologic and oncologic malignities and microdeletion syndromes such as Cri du Chat, Di George, Prader Willi-Angelman etc. Heparinized tubes should be used to draw blood for FISH analysis.