Frequently Asked Questions
What is the turnaround time?
The regular 16S sequencing entire process takes approximately 3 – 6 weeks to complete. Please review our Services & Fees page for turnaround times for the service you are interested and/or would like to request. Service is provided on a "first-come, first-served" basis therefore, we encourage you to submit your request through iLab and your samples to our Microbiome Core Facility.
How do I speed up the turnaround time for my order?
You may select this option only for 16S V4 Sequencing by choosing the option of “expedited sequencing (2-week)” in iLab.
How should I prepare my samples?
We encourage our clients and/or collaborators to store their samples at - 80° C for bacterial preservation. Stool, urine, oral rinse and/or buccal swabs collected from humans may be submitted in specimen containers, Omnigene kits, falcon, Eppendorf tubes or 2D tubes*. Mouse stool, urine, buccal swabs, larva and frozen tissue may be submitted in Eppendorf or 2D tubes*.
*For 2D tubes, please contact us.
How much volume or how many milligrams of my samples should I submit?
For mouse stool please submit 2 pellets, human stool: 200 mg or 200 μL, urine and oral rinse: 1-2 mL, buccal swabs: submit a 2 mL tube with 700- 800 μL of suspension, frozen tissue: at least 50 mg. For samples preserved in Omnigene kits, please contact us.
If I’m interested in the aliquot service, how should I submit my samples?
You may submit your samples in specimen containers, omnigene, falcon, Eppendorf or 2D tubes*.
*For 2D tubes, please contact us.
How many samples do I need to submit for protocol development and optimization?
3 to 5 extra samples need to be submitted in order to develop or optimize a protocol.
What happens when my sample could not be amplified successfully and therefore, not sequenced?
The core personnel will let you know and only the DNA extraction fee will be applied, not the sequencing.
What’s your mailing information?
Chia-Chi (Tina) Chang
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
4SCRB5.2085, Unit 1954
1901 East Rd
South Campus Research Building 3
Houston, TX 77054
United States
After completion, what information and data can I expect to receive from the Core?
This depends on the data analysis service requested however, for 16S V4 or V1-V3 sequencing you will receive an alpha diversity table, beta-diversity table and stacked bar plots of bacterial taxonomy.
When can I bring in or pick up my samples?
You may drop off or courier your samples Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. We also offer a sample pick up service from facilities and clinics across the institution in the same business hours.
Will I be contacted when my order is done?
Yes, you will receive an email from the Core facility personnel stating that your order has been completed along with sequencing data.
I am ready to bring my samples to the lab. What do I need to make sure I have done first?
Make sure you have created an iLab account, submitted your request, provided chartstring(s) you would like to use to fund the charges, stored your samples in adequate containers (please review “How should I prepare my samples?”) and contacted us for samples submission.
What is a log sheet and how do I get one?
A log sheet is a table that includes the specifics (experiment ID, sample IDs, descriptions, container type and sample type) of your order which you must fill out before you submit your order. Once a requested has been initiated, a blank log sheet will be automatically generated for you to complete. You may download it in the form of an Excel document, fill it out, save it as a *.csv, *.xlsx. and attached it in iLab.