Sample Submission and Library Preparation Guidelines

Service Types

Frequently Asked Questions

We offer multiple library preparation options to suit different applications and sample types:

  • Illumina DNA Prep (TruSeq Nano, Nextera XT DNA Prep)
  • Twist Whole Genome Library Prep (Preferred)
  • KAPA HyperPrep
  • NEBNext Ultra II DNA Library Prep
  • Illumina DNA Prep – PCR-Free (TruSeq PCR-Free)
  • Arima Hi-C Library Prep (for genome architecture and 3D chromatin interaction studies)
  • Standard DNA Library Prep: Recommended input is 1 × 10⁶ cells (frozen and pelleted).
  • Arima Hi-C Prep:
    • Cultured cells (standard input): 5–10 million cells
    • Low input: 1–2 million cells
    • Cryopreserved cells: 1 million cells in 1 mL freezing media
  • Standard DNA Library Prep:
    • Fresh or frozen tissue: 60 mg
    • Stabilized tissue: 20 mg
  • Arima Hi-C Prep (animal tissue):
    • Standard input: 100–300 mg
    • Low input: 50 mg
  • Arima Hi-C Prep (plant tissue):
    • Young tissue with low chlorophyll: 3–5 mg
  • Genomic DNA (gDNA): 0.5–2 mL in EDTA tube
  • Cell-free DNA (cfDNA): Minimum 10 mL, with 20 mL (Streck Tube) recommended
  • Arima Hi-C Prep:
    • Whole blood: 2 mL fresh blood (PBMCs)
    • Whole nucleated blood: 100 µL blood in 2 mL ethanol

Yes. For FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) tissue:

    • Recommended: 5 slides, each 10 µm thick, with a tissue surface area of 250 mm²
    • Minimum: 2–3 slides of similar thickness and surface area

Yes. We require 5 curls (10 µm thick each) for library preparation.

    • Ideal input: 1 µg gDNA (Qubit quantified), DIN > 6
    • Minimum input: 10 ng gDNA, DIN > 8
    • Concentration: 10–50 ng/µL (minimum volume: 20 µL)

PCR-free methods are more sensitive to DNA quality. While we can process such samples, data yield cannot be guaranteed if degraded input material is used.

For most applications, we recommend Twist Whole Genome Library Prep due to its high efficiency and performance.

The choice depends on your research needs:

  • High-quality gDNA: Illumina DNA Prep, Twist WGS Prep, or PCR-Free
  • Low-input or degraded samples: NEBNext Ultra II or KAPA HyperPrep
  • Chromatin structure studies: Arima Hi-C Prep
    Our team can guide you to the most suitable method based on your sample quality and experimental goals.

We primarily use the Twist Whole Exome Kit (high-quality) for exome capture. Other exome library preparation kits are available upon request.

  • Ideal input: 500 ng gDNA (Qubit quantified), DIN > 7
  • Minimum input: 100 ng gDNA, DIN > 8
  • Concentration: 10–50 ng/µL (minimum volume: 20 µL)

We recommend 1 × 10⁶ cells (frozen and pelleted) for Whole Exome library preparation.

  • Fresh or frozen tissue: 60 mg
  • Stabilized tissue: 20 mg
    • Genomic DNA (gDNA): 0.5–2 mL collected in EDTA tubes
    • Cell-free DNA (cfDNA): Minimum 10 mL, with 20 mL (Streck Tube) recommended
Yes. We require:
  • 5 slides, 10 µm thick, with a tissue surface area of 250 mm²

Yes. We require 5 curls (10 µm thick each) for Whole Exome library preparation.

We recommend the Twist Whole Exome High-Quality Kit due to its superior performance and capture efficiency. However, other kits can be made available upon request based on your project requirements.

The TSO 500 Assay is designed for comprehensive targeted sequencing of ctDNA, HRD, DNA, and RNA. It is commonly applied for cancer research, mutation profiling, and biomarker studies.

We require >100 ng ctDNA in 15–20 µL volume for library preparation.

For ctDNA extraction, we require:
  • 10–20 mL fresh blood collected in a Streck DNA BCT tube
  • Tubes should be inverted 8–10 times immediately after collection
  • 3–4 mL plasma
  • Plasma should be double-spun from EDTA blood within 4 hours of collection to ensure high-quality ctDNA yield.
    • 200 ng DNA in 15–20 µL
    • 200 ng RNA in 15–20 µL

Yes. We accept >1 mL of frozen buffy coat as input material.

Yes. We require 5–10 slides, 10 µm thick, for library preparation.

We require >50 mg of fresh or frozen tumor tissue for targeted sequencing with the TSO 500 assay.

We use the Takara SMART-Seq mRNA Library Prep Kit for non-stranded mRNA sequencing. This method is optimized for high sensitivity, even with low-input samples.

  • Follow the cell preparation protocol specific to your experiment.
  • Recommended input: >10,000 cells
  • Lower limit for direct input: 1–1,000 cells
  • Preferred input: 10 ng RNA in 15 µL volume
  • Lowest input supported: 10 pg RNA in 15 µL volume
  • RNA quality: RIN > 5

Yes. The Takara SMART-Seq system is designed to handle very low input, with a lower limit of 10 pg RNA or as few as 1–1,000 cells. However, library complexity may be reduced compared to higher input amounts.

We offer two options for stranded mRNA sequencing:

  • Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep
  • KAPA mRNA HyperPrep (for high-quality RNA only)
  • Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep:
    • Input: 0.1 µg RNA (RIN > 7) or 1 µg RNA (RIN > 5)
    • Volume: 25 µL
  • KAPA mRNA HyperPrep:
    • Input: 0.2 µg RNA (RIN > 7)
    • Volume: 25 µL
  • Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep: Recommended input is >50,000 cells (frozen and pelleted)
  • KAPA mRNA HyperPrep: Recommended input is 1 × 10⁶ cells (frozen and pelleted)
  • Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep:
    • 60 mg fresh tissue, fully submerged in RNAlater
    • 60 mg frozen tissue (in RNAlater or flash frozen)
  • KAPA mRNA HyperPrep:
    • 60 mg fresh or frozen tissue, or 20 mg stabilized tissue
  • Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep:
    • Recommended: 3 mL
    • Minimum: 1.5 mL
    • PAXgene Blood RNA tubes are strongly recommended
  • KAPA mRNA HyperPrep:
    • Recommended: 3 mL
    • Minimum: 1.5 mL

Yes, for Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep:

    • Recommended: 8 slides, each 10 µm thick, with a surface area of 250 mm²
    • Minimum: 5 slides with the same thickness and area

Yes, for Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep we require 5–8 curls (10 µm thick each).

We offer two library prep options:

  • Illumina Stranded Total RNA RiboZero Plus (with Globin depletion, supports mouse, human, rat, bacteria)
  • Takara SMARTer Stranded Total RNA v3 – Pico Input Mammalian (optimized for low-input samples, including FFPE and single cells)
  • Illumina Stranded Total RNA RiboZero Plus:
    • Input: 200 ng – 1 µg RNA
    • Volume: 25 µL
    • DV200 > 25
  • Takara SMARTer Stranded Total RNA v3:
    • Recommended: >10 ng RNA in 15 µL
    • Low Input: 250 pg – 10 ng RNA in 15 µL
    • DV200 > 25
  • Illumina Stranded Total RNA RiboZero Plus:
    • Minimum: 1 × 10⁶ cells (frozen and pelleted)
  • Takara SMARTer Stranded Total RNA v3:
    • Recommended: >10,000 cells
    • Low input: 50–1,000 cells
    • DV200 > 25
  • Illumina Stranded Total RNA RiboZero Plus:
      • 60 mg fresh or frozen tissue
      • 20 mg stabilized tissue
      •  
  • Illumina Stranded Total RNA RiboZero Plus:
      • Recommended: 3 mL
      • Minimum: 1.5 mL
      •  
Yes.
  • Illumina Stranded Total RNA RiboZero Plus:
    • Recommended: 8 slides, 10 µm thick, with surface area of 250 mm²
    • Minimum: 5 slides of the same dimensions
  • Takara SMARTer Stranded Total RNA v3:
    • 5–8 slides, 10 µm thick, with surface area of 250 mm²
  • Illumina Stranded Total RNA RiboZero Plus: Yes, we require 8 curls (10 µm thick each).
  • Takara SMARTer Stranded Total RNA v3: Curls are not typically recommended; slides are preferred.
We offer the following kit options:
  • Takara SMARTer TCR α/β Profiling Kit (Human, Mouse, custom species)
  • Cellecta Full-Length TCR Kit (Human/Mouse)
  • Cellecta CDR3 TCR Kit (Human/Mouse)
For all Bulk TCR library prep kits (Takara SMARTer, Cellecta Full-Length, and CDR3):
    • Recommended input: ≥50,000 cells (1 million cells is ideal)
    • Lower limit for direct input: ≥5,000–10,000 cells
    • Please follow the cell prep protocol appropriate for your experiment.
For all Bulk TCR library prep kits:
    • Recommended input: >100 ng total RNA
    • Volume: ≥15 µL
    • Lower limit: 20 ng RNA in 15 µL
Yes. For Cellecta CDR3 TCR profiling, we accept:
    • 5 slides, 10 µm thick, with surface area of 250 mm²
  • Takara SMARTer TCR Kit: Provides robust profiling of α/β chains, supports human, mouse, and custom species.
  • Cellecta Full-Length Kit: Enables sequencing of the entire TCR variable region.
  • Cellecta CDR3 Kit: Focused on capturing CDR3 diversity for clonotype analysis.

We accept cells, purified RNA, and FFPE tissue. Please follow the recommended preparation guidelines for each type.

  • Recommended: ≥ 50,000 cells; 1M cells is ideal.
  • Minimum direct input: 5,000–10,000 cells (depending on kit).
  • For the Takara SMARTer BCR kit, samples should be provided in TAKARA lysis buffer, volume ≥ 15 µl.
  • Recommended: >100 ng total RNA in ≥15 µl.
  • Minimum: 20 ng in 15 µl.
  • RNA should be of high quality; DV200 > 25 is preferred.

Provide 5 slides with 10 µm thick sections, each with a surface area of 250 mm².

    • Cellecta CDR3 kit versions (Human/Mouse)
    • Cellecta Full Length kit versions (Human/Mouse)
    • Takara SMARTer BCR IgG H/K/L Profiling Kit (Human/Mouse)

Currently, the supported species are human and mouse. For custom species, please contact us before submitting samples.

We accept cells, purified RNA, and FFPE tissue samples for Cellecta Driver Map AIR Full Length and CDR3 kits.

  • Recommended: ≥ 50,000 cells; 1M cells is ideal.
  • Minimum direct input: 5,000–10,000 cells.
  • Please follow the cell prep protocol specific to your study design.
  • Recommended: >100 ng total RNA in ≥15 µl.
  • Minimum: 20 ng in 15 µl.
  • High-quality RNA is preferred (DV200 > 25 recommended).

Provide 5 slides with 10 µm thick tissue sections, each with a surface area of ~250 mm².

  • Cellecta Driver Map AIR Full Length kit (TCR & BCR)
  • Cellecta Driver Map AIR CDR3 kit (TCR & BCR)

Currently, supported species are Human and Mouse. For other species, please contact us to discuss custom options.

  • Single Cell RNA: 3′ GEX, 5′ GEX
  • Single Cell TCR / BCR
  • Single Cell ATAC
  • Single Cell Multiome (RNA + ATAC)
  • Single Cell CITE-seq (TotalSeq A, B, C)
  • Fixed RNA Profiling (Flex Kit)
  • Recommended: ≥100,000 starting cells, ≥85% viability (1M cells is ideal).
  • Lower inputs are possible but will reduce capture efficiency.
  • Viability <70% is not recommended.
Yes. Please follow the cell cryopreservation protocol.
    • Recommended: ≥100,000 starting cells, ≥85% viability.
    • Provide thawing instructions and include any special recovery media.
  • Minimum: ≥300 mg fresh tissue.
  • Submerge in Miltenyi storage buffer and ship the same day.
  • Stable for ~48 hrs if stored properly. (Miltenyi protocol available upon request.)
Yes, for nuclei isolation only.
    • Minimum: ≥300 mg tissue.
    • Please cryopreserve using best practices to maintain nuclear integrity.
  • Recommended: >1M cells, ≥80% viability before fixing.
  • Minimum: >500,000 cells, ≥80% viability.
  • Please follow the official methanol fixation protocol.
  • Input: Fixed cells or nuclei.
  • Recommended: 0.5M cells or 1M nuclei, viability ≥80% before fixation.
  • Minimum: 0.3M cells or 0.5M nuclei, viability ≥80% (for cells).
  • Please follow fixation guidelines carefully.
  • Total: ~100 microns of tissue.
  • For sections >15 mm × 15 mm: 4 × 25 µm curls.
  • For smaller sections: 8 × 25 µm curls.
  • For 5 µm curls/slides: 20 sections required.
  • 50–100 mg tissue.
  • Must be finely minced (able to pass through a 1 ml wide-bore pipette tip).
  • Perform mincing on a glass surface to avoid contamination.
  • SMART-Seq Single Cell (transcriptome profiling).
  • SMARTer TCR α/β Profiling (immune repertoire profiling).
  • Input: Isolated, sorted cells.
  • Required: Cells must be provided in lysis buffer in 96-well plates.
  • Please reference and follow the cell prep protocol and plate map provided.
  • Input: Isolated, sorted cells.
  • Required: Cells must be provided in 96-well plates.
  • Please follow the official cell prep protocol and plate map.
  • Bulk ATAC-Seq (Add library prep kit).
  • CUT&RUN (Epicypher CUT&RUN Library Prep).
  • ChIP-Seq.
  • Methylation and Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing (WGBS).
  • Sample type: Fresh or cryopreserved cell suspension.
  • Recommended: ≥250,000 cells with viability >85%.
  • Minimum: ≥100,000 cells with viability >85%.
  • Sample type: Fresh or cryopreserved cell suspension.
  • Recommended: >250,000 cells per antibody with viability >85%.
  • Minimum: 100,000 cells per antibody with viability >85%.
  • Note: Please provide an extra 100,000 cells for IgG control to normalize data.
  • Input DNA: Send entirety of input DNA (>0.5ng, volume >20µl).
  • Input DNA: >100ng.
  • Volume: 15–25µl.
  • Sample types accepted: Blood, Cells, Tissue, or Purified DNA.
  • Blood: 0.5–2mL (EDTA tube).
  • cfDNA: ≥10mL (20mL recommended) (Streck Tube).
  • Cells: ≥0.5M – 1M.
  • Tissue: ≥20mg.
  • DNA: ≥20ng; Concentration >1ng/µl; Volume ≥20µl; DIN >5.
  • 10X Visium Cytassist (Human & Mouse).

Please refer to the Spatial Transcriptomics Sample Prep Protocol document for detailed instructions. Requirements vary depending on the type of sample submitted.

  • Tissue cross section ≤ capture area (6.5mm × 6.5mm or 11mm × 11mm):
    • Ship FFPE tissue block to MedGenome at 4°C (ice packs).
  • Tissue cross section ≥ capture area:
    • Mark the region of interest on the tissue block with a marker.
    • Ship FFPE block at 4°C (ice packs).
    • Provide four 25µm curls in a microfuge tube (for QC).
    • Prepare four serial sections (5–10µm) on recommended charged slides (see tissue placement guide).
    • Perform H&E staining on one slide and mark the region of interest on the back of the slide.*
    • Ship H&E slide, three slides with serial sections, and curls to MedGenome at 4°C (ice packs)

Marking is not required if tissue section ≤ capture area.

  • Tissue cross section ≤ capture area (6.5mm × 6.5mm or 11mm × 11mm):
    • Ship OCT embedded tissue block on dry ice.
  • Tissue cross section ≥ capture area:
    • Take a picture of the block and mark the region of interest on the image.
    • Share the image with MedGenome.
    • Provide four 25µm curls in a microfuge tube (for QC).
    • Prepare four serial sections (10–20µm) on recommended charged slides (see tissue placement guide).
    • Perform H&E staining on one slide and mark the region of interest on the back of the slide.*
    • Ship H&E slide, three slides with serial sections, and curls to MedGenome on dry ice.

Marking is not required if tissue section ≤ capture area.

  • Whole Genome Sequencing.
  • RNA Sequencing.
  • PureTarget.
  • Amplicon Sequencing.
  • AAV Sequencing.
  • Tissue: 60mg fresh or frozen tissue.
  • Blood: 1mL (provided in K2 EDTA tubes).
  • HMW DNA: >3µg High Molecular Weight DNA per Gb genome size; Volume: 50µl; GQN >7.0 for 30kb.
  • Tissue: 60mg fresh or frozen tissue OR 20mg stabilized tissue.
  • Cells: 1e+6 cells (frozen and pelleted).
  • Total RNA: >1µg; Volume: 25µl; RIN >7.0.
    • DNA Input: Total of 16µg.
      • Example: 2µg per sample if 8 samples, 4µg per sample if 4 samples.
  • DNA Input (column-purified amplicons; Volume: 25µl):
    • 1–3Kb: >200ng.
    • 3–5Kb: >400ng.
    • 5–10Kb: >500ng.
    • 10Kb: >700ng.
    •  
    • DNA Input: Please contact MedGenome for detailed AAV-specific DNA input requirements (varies by project).
  • Blood
  • Plasma
  • Serum
  • Urine
  • CSF
  • Blood
    • Input: 5 mL fresh blood
    • Condition: Keep on ice pack
    • Tube: Recommended: K2 EDTA or CPT tubes
  • Plasma
    • Input: 40 µL frozen plasma
    • Condition: Ship on dry ice
  • Serum
    • Input: 40 µL frozen serum
    • Condition: Ship on dry ice
  • Urine
    • Input: 40 µL frozen urine
    • Condition: Ship on dry ice
  • CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid)
    • Input: 40 µL frozen CSF
    • Condition: Ship on dry ice

Click to Download Premade Library Requirements