Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t find what you’re looking for below, feel free to contact us with any additional questions.
What is the best way to ship my samples to SeqCenter?
In general, ambient temperature overnight shipping is adequate for DNA samples. For samples that are on the lower end of the concentration range or are being shipped during the warmer months of the year, shipping with ice packs or dry ice is recommended. RNA samples must be shipped frozen on dry ice as they will degrade readily under other conditions. Samples needing extraction should be sent on sealed petri dishes at room temperature, or as frozen pellets in ice packs or dry ice. For all shipments, please ensure your samples are protected during transit by placing them in a secondary rigid container, if you are not using a box. More specific submission and shipping information is included at the end of the checkout process.
We are not responsible for samples lost or delayed in shipping. We recommend sensitive samples be shipped Monday-Wednesday for overnight delivery, thereby preventing any possible shipping delays due to inconsistent deliveries on weekends.
How should I extract my DNA/RNA?
It has been our experience that any column-based extraction kit will provide favorable results. For internal samples, our lab has long used Qiagen Blood and Tissue kits. Other methods of extraction will also work if care is taken to remove contaminants. For RNA samples, we recommend Qiagen RNeasy kits with DNase treatment. For metagenomics samples, we recommend a physical lysis method for community profile preservation, such as bead beating.
what is the best way to quantify my samples before sending them?
Qubit is the preferred method of quantification as it is far more accurate at measuring double-stranding DNA only. Nanodrop is also acceptable, though we ask that you aim for the higher end of the requested range as this technology tends to overestimate the concentration of DNA. (Nanodrop readings can be as much as 10 times higher than Qubit measurements.)
Do you offer QC services before library preparation?
Our library preparation pipelines are very robust and can accommodate a wide range of sample qualities, which allows us to attempt to process all samples that are submitted. As such, we ask our customers to evaluate the quality and quantity of their samples before sending, and ensure they are to our submission standards and those of their project. Please see our policy page for more information.
How much coverage Do I need for my samples?
There is no one answer to this question as it depends on how you are going to use your data. For an application such as reference-based variant calling, we recommend at least 30x average coverage of your genome. If you would like guidance on this topic, please feel free to contact us at info@seqcenter.com.
How long until I receive my data?
Starting from the day that we receive your DNA/RNA samples, you will receive your sequencing data within 15 days. The wait is often much less than this and it is not uncommon to receive data the same week that the samples were provided. You will receive an email with the exact delivery date for your order when we receive your samples.
How will I receive my data?
Your data will be uploaded to your own personal folder on Box and a link will be shared with all email addresses listed on your intake form. The data will be available on Box no less than 6 months and additional users can be added upon request.
Do you offer any first-time or academic discounts?
Rather than offer periodic sales and promotions, we aim to offer the best price on each and every order and do so by operating with narrow margins. While that keeps our standard prices quite competitive for the speed and quality that we deliver, that unfortunately means that we do not generally offer other discounts beyond our bulk discount for sequencing orders of 48 or more samples.
Do you offer expedited service
As our standard speed is already on par with many others’ expedited services, we do not offer expedited services.
What files are contained within my deliverables?
The data contained within your folder will be comprised of .fastq files (2 for each sample when the service provides paired end reads), a methods readme, and a spreadsheet of sample QC. The .fastq files are raw, unassembled files that come directly from the sequencer (though Illumina adapter sequences have been trimmed off during the demultiplexing process).
When analysis services are ordered, you will also receive a separate subfolder that contains the files tied to the specific service ordered.
What forms of payment are accepted?
SeqCenter accepts purchase orders and all major credit cards (with a 3% credit card processing fee). Please submit all POs to info@seqcenter.com. For international customers, we also accept wire transfers with a $20.00 USD fee.
How do SeqCenter's holiday closures affect my order?
Our facilities will be closed for specific holidays, during which days we will be unable to accept packages. Additionally, the closures will offset the two-week deadline for orders whose turnaround window includes the dates listed below. (Please see our policy page for more information on our two-week turnaround window.)
2022 Closures
- Saturday, December 24, 2022 through Sunday, January 1, 2023