How to Submit Samples

All requests must be submitted via iLab

1. To initiate and submit requests via iLab:

 Login or Register for an iLab account*.

• Search for 'MDACC Microbiome Core' and click on it.
• Select the service of interest.
• Click the initiate request button next to the selected service of interest.
• Complete and save the custom form and other required information. Please see the instructions for the sample submission log sheet. If there are questions, please contact 832-750-1529 or 832-750-4243
• Click Submit request to core.
• You must have Financial Management Approval before any work on samples will begin.
• Core facility staff will be in touch with you upon review.

*For questions regarding iLab registration, please contact Patsy R. Rodriguez via email at prodrigu@mdanderson.org

2. Mail or send samples via courier system to the Microbiome Core.

For shipping via FedEx, UPS or USPS, address to:

Chia-Chi (Tina) Chang
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
4SCRB5.2085, Unit 1954
1881 East Rd.
South Campus Research Building 3
Houston, TX 77054
United States

Instructions for the Sample Submission Log Sheet:

1. You may fill out the form directly in iLab or you may download the ‘grid template’, complete it in Excel and upload it to iLab. The accepted formats are *.csv, *.xlsv. Please see an example below.
2. Sample.ID entries should be alpha-numeric with no spaces. Only 'dot ( . )' is allowed as special characters. 
3. Sample.ID needs to appear on the submitted tubes.
4. Sample.Description entries may be more detailed or elaborated.
5. Container Type needs to be specific for example, Eppendorf tube, Falcon tube, Omnigene tube, etc.
6. Sample Type must be described. For instance, human or mouse fecal samples, frozen tissue, larvae, urine, oral Rinse and/or buccal swab.
7. If you try to submit samples from the same experiment in the different sequence run, keep the same experiment.ID 
8. If there are questions, please contact core facility at 832-750-4243 or 832-750-1529.
9. On completion of sequencing, the data will be reported to the email listed on submission sheet.