Cytogenetics
The Cytogenetics Laboratory is a full-service laboratory offering high-quality chromosomal analyses on amniotic fluid, peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, malignant tissues, skin biopsies and products of conception. Molecular cytogenetic analyses, by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), are offered for aneuploidy detection (AneuVysion), hematologic rearrangements, HER2, and oligodendroglioma. The laboratory also cultures fibroblasts and amniocytes for send-out testing.
Cytogenetics Contacts and Forms
General Lab Numbers
612-873-8548, 612-904-4230 (FAX)
Lab Request Forms
Cytogenetics Staff
- James M. Fink, MD, PhD, Director of Cytogenetics
- Virginia L. Kubic, MD, PhD
- Katharine S. Park, MD
Specimen Collection & Transport
All specimens should be left at room temperature and protected from temperature extremes during transport to the laboratory.
Lab hours are 7 am-5 pm Monday through Friday, and as needed. Specimens may be sent at any time. Please notify the laboratory at 612-873-8548 during laboratory hours or at pager # 612-268-6234 after hours, weekends, and holidays and we will arrange for specimen transportation.
Send Specimens to:
Cytogenetics Laboratory, 612-873-8548
Hennepin Healthcare
P4 Lab, Triage
701 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Amniotic Fluid
- Container: sterile tissue culture tubes
- Preferred volume*: 20-30 mL
- Final TAT: 7-10 days
Amniotic Fluid: AneuVysion FISH
- Container: sterile tissue culture tubes
- Preferred volume*: 2-5 mL of 20-30 mL amniotic fluid specimen (specimen cannot be bloody)
- Preliminary TAT:1 day
Peripheral Blood
- Container:sodium heparin (green-top) tube
- Preferred volume*: 2 mL (newborn), 5 mL (child or adult)
- Preliminary TAT (newborn): 1-3 days
- Final TAT (newborn): 3-7 days
- Final TAT (child or adult): 3-14 days
Peripheral Blood: FISH
- Container:sodium heparin (green-top) tube
- Preferred volume*: 2 mL (newborn), 5 mL (child or adult)
- Final TAT: 3-14 days
Products of Conception (POC), chorionic villi, placenta, fetal skin or skin biopsy
- Container: Sterile container with specimen submerged in sterile saline or tissue culture media (do not place in fixative)
- Preferred specimen*: >5mm3 of tissue
- Final TAT: 10-14 days
Products of Conception: Block FISH
- AneuVysion (for partial molar pregnancy): Cut 5 slides at 4 µm thick and stain one with H&E.
- Final TAT: 2-7 days
Hematologic Blood
- Container: sodium heparin (green-top) tube
- Preferred volume*: 5 mL
- Preliminary STAT TAT: 1-2 days
- Final TAT: 3-10 days
Bone Marrow
- Container: sodium heparin (green-top) tube
- Preferred volume*: 2-5 mL
- Preliminary STAT TAT: 1-2 days
- Final TAT: 3-10 days
Bone Marrow Aspirate, Smear, Touch Prep: FISH
- Container: sodium heparin (green-top) tube or 2~3 prepared slides
- Preferred volume*: 2-5 mL
- Final TAT: 2-7 days
Malignant Tissue
- Container: Sterile container with specimen submerged in sterile saline or tissue culture media (do not place in fixative)
- Preferred specimen*: 5mm3 of involved tissue
- Final TAT: 3-10 days
Malignant Tissue, Touch Prep, Cytospin: FISH
- Container: Sterile container with specimen submerged in sterile saline or tissue culture media (do not place in fixative) or 2~3 prepared slides.
- Preferred specimen*: 5mm3 of involved tissue
- Final TAT: 2-7 days
Block FISH
- HER2: Cut 3 slides at 5 µm and stain one with H&E.
- Oligodendroglioma: Cut 5 slides at 4 µm thick and stain one with H&E.
- All other tissue (e.g. lymph node): Cut one slide at 4 µm and stain with H&E. Cut 2 additional slides for each probe requested.
- Final TAT: 2-7 days
*All size specimens will be accepted, but specimens that are smaller than the preferred specimen size may result in culture failure or an incomplete study.