Other biospecimen types

BioPartners can сollect, process and storе urine samples according to the BioPartners SOPs or Client’s request. Urine can be provided as an individual sample(s) or as the set of matched samples in different combination of sample types (e.g. tissue + urine samples, urine + blood or other type of specimen, etc.). All biospecimens are collected under Local Ethics Committee approval. Every sample is accompanied with the clinical data that is monitored by certified specialists during regular monitoring visits. We can provide urine as a raw unprocessed urine sample or it can be centrifuged, aliquotted with/without adding conservatives. Depending on the Project Specifications, urine samples are frozen at -20°C or lower temperatures to be shipped on dry ice or can be provided fresh at ambient temperature or refrigerated (at +2°C – +8°C) within 24-72 hours of sample collection. Urine specimens are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

BioPartners can provide raw and processed sputum specimens, sputum can be cought out spontaneously or sputum production can be induced by inhalation (e.g. by using of the nebulizer with saline solution). In the cases when bronchoscopy is indicated, mucus samples can be collected by aspiration or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Transport media will be added to the sputum sample on the Client’s request. Depending on the Project Specifications, sputum samples are frozen at -20°C or lower temperatures to be shipped on dry ice or can be provided fresh at ambient temperature or refrigerated (at +2°C – +8°C) within 24-72 hours of sample collection. Sputum specimens are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

In patients with ascites that develops due to malignancy, infection, liver or pancreas disorder, a sample of fluid is typically (if not otherwise specified) obtained before surgery using paracentesis and collected into sterile container. In order to serve research goals of the Client in the best way, ascitic fluid sample can be processed and storеd according to the BioPartners SOPs or Client’s instructions. All biospecimens are collected under Local Ethics Committee approval. Every sample is accompanied with the clinical data that is monitored by certified specialists during regular monitoring visits. Ascitic fluid specimens are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

BioPartners can сollect, process and storе saliva samples according to the BioPartners SOPs or Client’s request. In order to collect whole saliva specimens, various methods can be used. Common methods include the draining method, the spitting method, the suction method, and the swab method. Commercially available devices and methods can be used to collect saliva. Saliva can be provided as an individual sample(s) or as the part of the set of matched samples in different combination of sample types (e.g. saliva + blood or other type of specimen, etc.). All biospecimens are collected under Local Ethics Committee approval. Every sample is accompanied with the clinical data that is monitored by certified specialists during regular monitoring visits. Depending on the Project Specifications, saliva samples are frozen at -20°C or lower temperatures to be shipped on dry ice or can be provided fresh at ambient temperature or refrigerated (at +2°C – +8°C) within 24-72 hours of sample collection. Saliva specimens are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

There are many commercially available types of the collection kits to be used for swab collection from male and female subjects. Depending on the type of the collection, kit (the media in the provided tube and type of the collection device) swabs could be used to study virology by PCR method, for bacteriologic examination by culturing bacteria with further Gram staining, or for Pap test. If needed, several types of swabs can be collected from the same subject during one visit. Commercially available devices and methods can be used to collect swabs from rectum, vagina, cervix, vulva and urethra. Urogenital swab(s) can be provided as an individual sample(s) or as the part of the set of matched samples in different combination of sample types (e.g. swab + blood or other type of specimen, etc.). All biospecimens are collected under Local Ethics Committee approval. Every sample is accompanied with the clinical data that is monitored by certified specialists during regular monitoring visits. Depending on the Project Specifications, urogenital swabs are frozen at -20°C or lower temperatures to be shipped on dry ice or can be provided fresh at ambient temperature or refrigerated (at +2°C – +8°C) within 24-72 hours of sample collection. Urogenital swabs are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

Respiratory swabs as biospecimen type cannot be overestimated, especially nowadays when scientists are looking for the solutions of the challenges presented by COVID-19, as well as other new and already known infections, malignancies, and other diseases. BioPartners can provide you with nasopharyngeal (NP), oropharyngeal (OP), nasal or throat swabs. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are the preferred specimens for respiratory virus rapid antigen (DFA) testing, COVID-19 RT-PCR and Pertussis testing. Nasopharyngeal swabs are also used for the detection of respiratory viruses such as RSV, influenza virus A & B or parainfluenza virus. A properly collected viral swab (one nare is sufficient) is necessary for detection of these organisms. There are many commercially available types of the collection kits to be used for swab collection. Depending on the type of the collection, kit (the media in the provided tube and type of the collection device) swabs could be used to study virology by PCR method, for bacteriologic examination by culturing bacteria with further Gram staining, or serve other scientific purposes, for example, in the study of malignancies. If needed, several types of swabs can be collected from the same subject during one visit. Respiratory swab(s) can be provided as an individual sample(s) or as the part of the set of matched samples in different combination of sample types (e.g. swab + blood or other type of specimen, etc.). All biospecimens are collected under Local Ethics Committee approval. Every sample is accompanied with the clinical data that is monitored by certified specialists during regular monitoring visits. Depending on the Project Specifications, urogenital swabs are frozen at -20°C or lower temperatures to be shipped on dry ice or can be provided fresh at ambient temperature or refrigerated (at +2°C – +8°C) within 24-72 hours of sample collection. Respiratory swabs are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

Skin biopsy is one of the most important diagnostic tests for skin disorders. Punch biopsy is considered the primary technique for obtaining diagnostic full-thickness skin specimens. The technique involves the use of a circular blade that is rotated down through the epidermis and dermis, and into the subcutaneous fat, yielding a 2- to 4-mm cylindrical core of tissue sample. Skin punch biopsy samples (from diseased and, if possible, normal site) can be collected from patients with a variety of disorders: cutaneous neoplasms, pigmented lesions, inflammatory lesions and chronic skin disorders. Fresh skin punch biopsy samples will be delivered to European samples requestor in 24-48 hours after resection/ tissue collection. Delivery to the USA will take up to 72 hours. Fresh skin punch biopsy samples (usually immersed in transport media – its type depends on Client’s request) can be shipped at ambient temperature, cooled or chilled (+2°C – +8°C) in special insulated shipping boxes provided by certified currier company or in NanoCool 2-8°C Specimen Shipping System.

On Client’s request skin punch biopsy samples can also be fixed in neutral formalin and embedded into paraffin (FFPE). FFPE blocks with skin punch biopsy samples are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples will be collected only from the subjects to whom CSF test is indicated in order to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Indication for CSF test include various neurological diseases especially in acute conditions. By measuring the levels of various CSF components using relevant techniques, diagnosis, severity and prognostication of neurological conditions like infections, subarachnoid hemorrhage, demyelinating conditions, tumor like conditions, etc. can be done.

There are different ways to get a sample of CSF. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is the most common method. CSF sample can be provided processed or unprocessed, the volume of the aliquot is 0.5 – 2 ml. All biospecimens are collected under Local Ethics Committee approval. Every sample is accompanied with the clinical data that is monitored by certified specialists during regular monitoring visits. Depending on the Project Specifications, CSF samples are frozen at -20°C or lower temperatures to be shipped on dry ice or can be provided fresh at ambient temperature or refrigerated (at +2°C – +8°C) within 24-72 hours of sample collection. CSF samples are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

BioPartners can сollect, process and storе feces samples according to the BioPartners SOPs or Client’s request. Stool can be provided as an individual sample(s) or as the set of matched samples in different combination of sample types (e.g. feces + blood or other type of specimen, etc.). All biospecimens are collected under Local Ethics Committee approval. Every sample is accompanied with the clinical data that is monitored by certified specialists during regular monitoring visits. We can provide feces as a raw unprocessed feces sample or it can be processed, aliquotted with/without adding conservatives/media within an hour after defecation. Depending on the Project Specifications, stool samples are frozen at -20°C or lower temperatures to be shipped on dry ice or can be provided fresh at ambient temperature or refrigerated (at +2°C – +8°C) within 24-72 hours of sample collection. Stool specimens are not usually collected for regular storage in our inventory, only on the request of the Client.

BioPartners offers to their Clients several types of biospecimens collections for reproductive medicine studies. We invite to participate in the study only pregnant women who are recommended to undergo chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis as prenatal diagnostic procedures that are performed to detect fetal abnormalities. Participation of this cohort of the patients in the study and collection of all these biospecimens are conducted under Local Ethics Committee supervision and with the appropriate approval.

Amniotic fluid samples or CVS can be collected only on the request of the Client.