Ready to submit samples? Follow the instructions below. Then, download and fill out our sample intake form. Email your completed form to jj@tbconservation.org and hannah@tbconservation.org.
Shipping Address:
Tangled Bank Conservation
Attn: Hannah Nelson
192 E. Chestnut St., Suite A
Asheville NC, 28801
(828) 544-0501
Shipping Instructions
Package and ship samples according to the recommendations listed below for each sample type:
Do not use a standard letter envelope. Please ship your samples using a padded mailer or box.
For frozen samples use an insulated shipping box and include two cold packs with your samples.
Secure samples so they will not shift or open during shipping. This means taping any tube boxes closed. Ship packages overnight for next day arrival.
For ethanol preserved, desiccated eDNA filters, unfrozen desiccated plant tissue, or iSWAB samples: ship using a standard (non-insulated box) and be sure to secure your samples so that they will not leak or shift during shipping. Cold packs are not necessary. Ship using 3 day delivery (or faster).
We can provide shipping materials for $20 shipped for 5 day delivery (expedited shipping available).
Shipping materials included: an insulated shipping box, appropriate packaging for the samples (i.e. 2 mL screw cap tubes), sample box(es), cold packs, and bubble wrap.
Don’t forget to fill out your sample intake form, include the first page with your samples, and email the sample info to jj@tbconservation.org and hannah@tbconservation.org
Shipping/Storage Instructions per Sample Type
Animal Tissue
Package samples in a 2mL screw cap tube with 70% ethanol, preferably with parafilm wrapped around each tube. Ship using 3 day shipping, do not need to keep cold.
Plant Tissue
If samples are shipped within 5 days of collection, they can be shipped at room temperature. Samples should be kept individually in a coin envelope, inside an airtight container with a 10:1 ratio of silica gel to tissue. Please add enough packing material to ensure samples do not jostle during shipping. If samples are already desiccated and frozen, ship them frozen (see above). Frozen plant samples should be kept identically as above, but with 1:1 ratio of silica gel to tissue.
eDNA
Store filters in a 2mL screw cap tube, frozen (preferred). Use insulated packaging with icepacks and ship overnight. Filters can also be individually packaged in ziplock bags (or similar) with desiccant beads and shipped ambient temperature with 3 day delivery or faster. If filters are already preserved in ethanol: place filters and ethanol in a 2mL screw cap tube and ship using 3 day delivery (or faster), do not need to keep cold.
Extracted DNA
Package samples using 96 well plates (sealed with strip-caps only – do not use film), strip tubes, 1.5 or 2mL tubes (pop-tops sealed with parafilm). Ship samples frozen in an insulated box with two icepacks and ship overnight for next-day delivery.
Samples for RADseq or metabarcoding must have a volume of 20uL with a concentration of >5ng/uL (measured on a Qubit) or normalized to 20ng/uL. Samples for qPCR or PCR must have a volume of 20uL with concentration of >2ng/uL. If we are sequencing your metabarcoding primers for the first time, we require at least 60uL of extract (or a positive control) to optimize the reaction.
Swabs
Store swabs in a 2mL screw cap tube, frozen (preferred). Use insulated packaging with icepacks and ship overnight for next day delivery. Do not ship in a standard letter envelope. If swabs are already preserved in ethanol: place filters and ethanol in a 2mL screw cap tube and ship using 3 day delivery (or faster), do not need to keep cold. If sending iSWABs, ship using 3 day delivery (or faster) and ship samples at room temperature.
Blood
If a buffer is used: Place 2mL screw cap sample tubes in a ziplock bag and secure the bag with packing material. Ship using 3 day delivery (expedited shipping not necessary).
If no buffer is used: Use an insulated shipping box with ice packs to keep samples cold/frozen. Place sample tubes in a ziplock bag and secure with packing material. Ship overnight for next day delivery.