All email communication with Intertek must be addressed to Agritech Sweden (agritech.sweden@intertek.com) with bi-genotyping@cornell.edu in the CC field.

You must alert Intertek via email at least 15 days prior to sending samples, in order to ensure the fast turn-around time. For larger sample volume (>10,000 samples), please submit the order at least 25 days prior to sending samples. To make the alert announcement, attach a draft order form in an email message to Agritech Sweden (agritech.sweden@intertek.com) with bi-genotyping@cornell.edu in the CC field.

Preferred products

• 96-well plate format: AbGene 1.2 mL 96-well polypropylene storage plates (AB0564)

• 96-well cap format: AbGene 96-well plate mats (AB0674)

Backup products (first choice)

• 96-well plate format: Costar Corning 1 mL 96-well deep-well polypropylene blocks with round bottom (Corning Life Science product number 3959)

• 96-well cap format: Costar Corning 1 mL 96-well block sealing mats (Corning product number 3080)

Backup products (second choice)

• 96-well plate format: Corning 1.2 mL 96-well cluster tube system with tubes in strips of 8 (07-200-317)

• 96-well cap format: Costar 1.2 mL 96-well cluster tube system with caps in strips of 8 (07-200-323)

Preferred products

• 96-well plate format: AbGene 1.2 mL 96-well polypropylene storage plates (AB0564)

• 96-well cap format: AbGene 96-well plate mats (AB0674)

Backup products (first choice)

• 96-well plate format: Costar Corning 1 mL 96-well deep-well polypropylene blocks with round bottom (Corning Life Science product number 3959)

• 96-well cap format: Costar Corning 1 mL 96-well block sealing mats (Corning product number 3080)

Backup products (second choice)

• 96-well plate format: Corning 1.2 mL 96-well cluster tube system with tubes in strips of 8 (07-200-317)

• 96-well cap format: Costar 1.2 mL 96-well cluster tube system with caps in strips of 8 (07-200-323)

Preferred products

• 96-well plate format: 1.1 mL microtubes in micro racks National Scientific Supply Co TN0946-01R

• 96-well cap format: Micronic Pierceable TPE Capband-8 Yellow in Capmat format MP53024 (1775-3027)

Preferred products

• 96-well plate format: 1.1 mL microtubes in micro racks National Scientific Supply Co TN0946-01R

• Plasticware for DNA submission 96-well cap format: Micronic Pierceable TPE Capband-8 Yellow in Capmat format MP53024 (1775-3027)

Any substitution of plates from those listed below must comply with the following:

Preferred products

• 96-well plate format: Eppendorf twin.tec® PCR plate 96 LoBind®, skirted, 150 µL, PCR clean, colorless, no barcode, 25 plates

  • $140.00/pack @ Eppendorf ($5.60/plate) Cat #: 00301293512

  • $181.81/pack @ VWR ($7.27/plate)      Cat #: 10049-106

  • $157.10/pack @ Fisher Scientific ($6.28/plate) Cat #: E00301293512 

• 96-well cap format: Sarstedt Inc Strip 8 flat caps 0.2mL PCR, pack of 120 (enough for 10 plates)

  • $16.62/pack @ Sarstedt ($1.40/plate) Cat #: 65.989.002

  • $40.80/pack @ Fisher Scientific ($3.40/plate) Cat #: NC0223991

  • $N/A @ VWR Cat #: N/A

Backup options

1. First choice

   • 96-well plate format: Eppendorf twin.tec® microbiology PCR Plate 96, skirted, 150 µL, PCR clean, colorless, no barcode, 10 plates

     • $91/case @ Eppendorf ($9.10/plate)     Cat #: 0030129300

     • $110.16/case @ VWR ($11.02/plate)     Cat #: 75874-684

     • $121.00/case @ Fisher Scientific ($12.10/plate) Cat #: E0030129300

   • 96-well cap format: Fisherbrand™ Flat 8-Cap Strips, Flat Cap Strips (14-230-230)

Any substitution of plates from those listed below must comply with the following:

Preferred products

• 96-well plate format: Eppendorf twin.tec® PCR plate 96 LoBind®, skirted, 150 µL, PCR clean, colorless, no barcode, 25 plates

  • $140.00/pack @ Eppendorf ($5.60/plate) Cat #: 00301293512

  • $181.81/pack @ VWR ($7.27/plate)      Cat #: 10049-106

  • $157.10/pack @ Fisher Scientific ($6.28/plate) Cat #: E00301293512 

• 96-well cap format: Sarstedt Inc Strip 8 flat caps 0.2mL PCR, pack of 120 (enough for 10 plates)

  • $16.62/pack @ Sarstedt ($1.40/plate) Cat #: 65.989.002

  • $40.80/pack @ Fisher Scientific ($3.40/plate) Cat #: NC0223991

  • $N/A @ VWR Cat #: N/A

Backup options

1. First choice

   • 96-well plate format: Eppendorf twin.tec® microbiology PCR Plate 96, skirted, 150 µL, PCR clean, colorless, no barcode, 10 plates

     • $91/case @ Eppendorf ($9.10/plate)     Cat #: 0030129300

     • $110.16/case @ VWR ($11.02/plate)     Cat #: 75874-684

     • $121.00/case @ Fisher Scientific ($12.10/plate) Cat #: E0030129300

   • 96-well cap format: Fisherbrand™ Flat 8-Cap Strips, Flat Cap Strips (14-230-230)

Various sampling devices can be used as long as the samples are easily identified, and uniform sampling is maintained for all samples.  

• Scissors (grass-like leaves), single-hole punchers (broad-leaves) or (semi-) automated samplers such as the PlantTrak Hx system or AK-EP100 can be used.  

• A puncher should be dried and cleaned between samples by punching two or three punches of clean thick tissue paper. Punchers can also be sprayed or wiped with a paper towel dampened with 80% ethanol. 

Various sampling devices can be used as long as the samples are easily identified, and uniform sampling is maintained for all samples.  

• Scissors or side-cutters are usually all that is necessary to acquire fin clips, though serrated fly-tying scissors are ideal.

• Sampling tools should be disinfected between collections with an 80% EtOH bath to eliminate potential disease transfer and DNA contamination.

Various sampling devices can be used as long as the samples are easily identified, and uniform sampling is maintained for all samples.  

• Forceps for selecting and/or directing whole insects are ideal for sample transfer to tissue collection plate.

• Sampling tools should be disinfected between collections with an 80% EtOH bath to eliminate potential disease transfer and DNA contamination.

• The sampled leaf tissue should be of ‘good’ and even quality to be able to extract good quality DNA. Only healthy, tender, young green tissue should be sampled.  

• In order to create sets of samples with equal quality, it is important to always sample leaves of similar developmental stage.  

• In general, a newly emerging leaf will provide the DNA quality and quantity needed for genotyping.

• Fin clips, usually from the caudal fin, are ideal for non-lethal tissue collection for genetic analyses.

• Alternatively, adipose fins can be used but as the tissue does not regenerate, the fish is left without an adipose fin for the remainder of its life, which might be important for mate selection in wild populations (e.g., brown trout).

• Pelvic fins are not recommended to their small size on young fish.

• Use insect traps or other colony culture practices to rear or capture individuals.

• Freshly caught or live insects are best for DNA extraction, as death and desiccation can reduce both the quality and quantity of DNA.

• Insect parts (wings or legs) that allow non-leathal sampling will yield enough DNA for some applications but may cause behavioral issues or rejection of the individual(s) by colony.

• If genders are distinguishable by heteromorphic body appearances, selection by sex can be made and should be recorded in the sample collection sheet.

• Four leaf discs/punches of 4 to 6 mm diameter (no more than the area of a thumbnail) will give good quality and quantity DNA. Typically, 1 μg of DNA is extracted from 2 leaf disk punches, although the amount varies considerably according to species, age of tissue, and other factors.

• Do NOT sample tissue types or amounts that deviate from the agreed upon protocol with Intertek based on DNA optimization testing. Too much tissue or new tissue types will hinder thorough drying/grinding and will decrease the amount and quality of extracted DNA.

• If a plant is missing or can't be sampled, then mark the well on the plate and make a note in the sampling sheet. This notation will help to avoid mis-sampling.

• Wells for a missing sample can be marked either by coloring the edge of the well with a marker pen, or by placing a temporary cocktail stick or toothpick in the well. Remove the stick when sampling is completed.

• Clip a piece of tissue ~1 cm² off the top of the caudal fin. This will generate enough DNA to allow for repeated genetic test from the same tissue sample.

• Do NOT sample tissue types or amounts that deviate from the agreed upon protocol with Intertek based on DNA optimization testing. Too much tissue or new tissue types will hinder thorough drying/grinding and will decrease the amount and quality of extracted DNA.

• For specific projects, other amounts of tissue outside of the recommendation can be agreed upon prior to sampling.

• A single individual per sample tube will generate enough DNA to allow for repeated genetic test from the same sample.

• Do NOT sample tissue types or amounts that deviate from the agreed upon protocol with Intertek based on DNA optimization testing. Too much tissue or new tissue types will hinder thorough drying/grinding and will decrease the amount and quality of extracted DNA.

• For specific projects, other amounts of tissue outside of the recommendation can be agreed upon prior to sampling.

• Dry sample tissue completely.

  • Preferred for best quality extractions: Lyophilization (freeze-drying)

  • Acceptable for minimal quality extractions: Complete dehydration by dehydrator or silica gel

• Do NOT put silica gel in any tissue sample wells.

Add diluted ethanol to each tube, submerging the sample.

• Preferred for best quality extractions: 90-95% ethanol diluted with distilled water

• Acceptable for minimal quality extractions: 80% ethanol diluted with distilled water. 

• Preferred for best quality extractions: 80-95% ethanol diluted with distilled water added to each tube to submerge samples

• Acceptable for minimal quality extractions: Completely desiccate or dehydrate the samples and cap immediately

• Be sure to press down on the seal to secure it fully and completely on the plate.

• If tubes are used, apply a lid on the box and affix this with the clips and/or rubber bands. All plates can then be wrapped in (a) plastic bag(s) and sealed with tape or rubber bands.

• If desired, add silica gel to the plastic bags to remove moisture during shipping.

• Be sure to press down on the seal to secure it fully and completely on the plate.

• If tubes are used, apply a lid on the box and affix this with the clips and/or rubber bands. All plates can then be wrapped in (a) plastic bag(s) and sealed with tape or rubber bands.

• If possible, use parafilm or other liquid barrier to double seal the tubes or sealed plates.

• Be sure to press down on the seal to secure it fully and completely on the plate.

• If tubes are used, apply a lid on the box and affix this with the clips and/or rubber bands. All plates can then be wrapped in (a) plastic bag(s) and sealed with tape or rubber bands.

• If possible, use parafilm or other liquid barrier to double seal the tubes or sealed plates.