Characterization FAQs
WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory accepts materials for testing from its customers, which may include its affiliates. We understand that the samples provided to us for testing are important to you. WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory treats all information and materials relating to customer testing as confidential information. This confidentiality policy is central to WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory practices.
1. Is the request for information form confidential?
2. What cell types do you accept?
3. Do you accept cancer lines for testing?
4. What species do you work with?
5. How do I get shipping supplies?
6. How do I prepare my cells for shipping?
7. How will I receive test results?
8. When can I expect my report?
9. Can I receive expedited results?
10. Can I access test results via the internet?
11. Who has access to my test results?
12. How do I interpret my karyotype results?
13. What is the significance of a recurrent abnormality?
14. What is the difference between counted/analyzed/karyogrammed cells?
15. What is a non-clonal finding on a chromosome analysis report?
16. What information does WiCell retain?
17. Does WiCell share its customer lists with its affiliates?
18. What are the requirements to send DNA?
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Mouse
Chimpanzee
Macaque (rhesus)
Pig
Baboon
Other species may be accepted with prior approval
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2. What cell types do you accept?
3. Do you accept cancer lines for testing?
4. What species do you work with?
5. How do I get shipping supplies?
6. How do I prepare my cells for shipping?
7. How will I receive test results?
8. When can I expect my report?
9. Can I receive expedited results?
10. Can I access test results via the internet?
11. Who has access to my test results?
12. How do I interpret my karyotype results?
13. What is the significance of a recurrent abnormality?
14. What is the difference between counted/analyzed/karyogrammed cells?
15. What is a non-clonal finding on a chromosome analysis report?
16. What information does WiCell retain?
17. Does WiCell share its customer lists with its affiliates?
18. What are the requirements to send DNA?
1. Is the request for information form confidential?
Yes. WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory staff reviews the request for information form in order to provide information to you. We do retain the information submitted by our customers for our records, but do not share it with any third parties.back to top
2. What cell types do you accept?
Adipose Derived Cells
Cardiomyocytes
ES
Endothelial
Epiblast/Epithelial
Fibroblasts
iPS
MSC
NSC/NPC
Retinal Pigmented Epithelium
Cancer lines (upon discussion)
Cardiomyocytes
ES
Endothelial
Epiblast/Epithelial
Fibroblasts
iPS
MSC
NSC/NPC
Retinal Pigmented Epithelium
Cancer lines (upon discussion)
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3. Do you accept cancer lines for testing?
We may accept cancer lines depending on the workload of the lab and the complexity of the lines. Please contact us before sending any cancer lines. Please also note that the turnaround times will be longer to due the complexity of testing cancer lines.
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4. What species do you work with?
HumanMouse
Chimpanzee
Macaque (rhesus)
Pig
Baboon
Other species may be accepted with prior approval
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5. How do I get shipping supplies?
Email [email protected] with your shipping address and we will send boxes and shipping instructions to you.back to top
6. How do I prepare my cells for shipping?
Please see our Sample Submission Instructions page for complete instructions for shipping your cells.back to top
7. How will I receive my test results?
Test results are delivered via WiCell Cloud, WiCell's private and secure characterization report delivery system. When services are requested you will receive an activation email to set up your WiCell Cloud account and a notification will be sent to you when your new test reports are uploaded.back to top
8. When can I expect my report?
Our turnaround time is typically anywhere between 5-21 days based on the assay that is being completed. Please see our testing guidelines flyer for information specific to your assay.back to top
9. Can I receive expedited results?
Yes, expedited results is available for Karyotype. An extra fee will apply and results will be available within 6-7 days.back to top
10. Can I access my results via the internet?
Yes. Test results are sent via the WiCell Cloud, a private and secure online system developed in collaboration with Citrix. An account will be created for you and you will be sent activation information when your first test results are ready.back to top
11. Who has access to my test results?
WiCell Cloud customer accounts are set up using the email address provided by customer requesting the test, but no one else will have access to data. Customers have the ability to add other colleagues to their folder if they would like. WiCell Characterization staff has access to the samples and information provided for the sole purpose of conducting the requested tests. The test data results acquired from tested samples may, however, be compiled with other test data for scientific research and reporting. In that case, all identifiers capable of linking a customer with specific test data would be removed to ensure the anonymity of the customer, their samples, and results. Customers may opt out of having their anonymous data used in the above manner by notifying us in writing.
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12. How do I interpret my karyotype results?
Please follow this link for help interpreting your karyotype results.back to top
13. What is the significance of a recurrent abnormality?
Please see our recurrent abnormality page.back to top
14. What is the difference between counted/analyzed/karyogrammed cells?
Please follow this link for help interpreting your karyotype results.back to top
15. What is a non-clonal finding on a chromosome analysis report?
- The ISCN (International System for Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature) defines a clone as two or more cells that exhibit the same whole chromosome gain or structural change or if the change is a whole chromosome loss, then at least three cells must show the loss for it to be considered clonal. Non-clonal findings are changes that do not meet these requirements (typically single-cell findings).
- The reason for these standards is that the preparation of the metaphase spreads is subject to a certain amount of technical artifact (e.g. chromosomes blowing out from one metaphase spread, and possibly into another). We list non-clonal findings to make you aware that we did see a cell with some change, but that change has not (and maybe will not) rise to the level of something that would then make the karyotype abnormal. Please note that we do not list non-clonal whole chromosome loss in the reports, as we generally regard it as technical artifact unless it rises to a clonal level (three or more cells).
- In cases of abnormalities that are reported to be recurrently acquired in stem cells (e.g. extra chromosome 8, 12, 20 etc.) we will examine an additional twenty cells to detect low-level mosaicism.
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16. What information does WiCell retain?
WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory keeps all information regarding customer samples such as cell type, passage, type of media used to culture the cells, and the final test results and analysis. In addition to the extent that there is material remaining from the tested sample, WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory maintains it in storage.back to top
17. Does WiCell share its customer list with its affiliates?
No. The identity of WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory customers is kept confidential.back to top
18. What are the requirements to send DNA?
Please see the DNA shipping instructions found on our Sample Submission Instructions page.back to top
