Sample Size Guidelines for Lipidomics

Guidelines for all Samples

• Please inform us of any preservatives or additives used in the collection process;
• Use Sharpie to directly label tubes because the label may fall off during freezing;
• Send an electronic document containing the sample ID information, preferably before sending the sample. Send the complete file to info@creative-proteomics.org.

• Cells
  • Cells are cultured according to your research design;

    Each sample should preferably contain 5x10⁶ cells, preferably 1x10⁷ cells. (cell volume will affect this requirement; smaller cells need a higher number of cells). If your cells are primary cells, we need 2x10⁶ cells

    A minimum of 3 replicate plates or wells per condition are required;

    Remove media adjacent to the sample. The cells were washed three times with PBS and counted at the last time;

    Collect, prepare and store samples on ice.
• Tissues
  • For Tissue, the amount used should be empirically determined beforehand based on tissue type used. We usually need 10-50 mg tissue for our lipidomics services;

    After the tissue is collected, it will be stored at -80°C immediately and transported by dry ice;

    Tubes should be clearly labeled with sample identifiers and include a hard copy of the list of samples to accompany the shipment. Please include all available sample information when shipping samples.
• Plasma
  • Collect the whole blood in a test tube, gently invert the test tube 10 times, and cool as quickly as possible on ice. Centrifuge the plasma as soon as possible and transfer it to a labeled test tube. Be careful not to inhale the buffy coat, and freeze it immediately (-20°C), and move to -80°C within 1 week;

    According to different experimental schemes, we usually need 100-200 ul plasma for our lipidomics services;

    The samples are shipped on dry ice. The tube should be clearly marked with the sample identifier. When shipping samples, please include all available sample information;

    When collecting, it is important to treat all samples the same to avoid variability.
• Serum
  • According to different experimental schemes, we usually need 100-200 ul serum for our lipidomics services;

    Collect whole blood in a serum separator tube and follow the tube manufacturer's handling instructions. The serum is extracted, transferred to a labeled test tube, and stored as soon as possible at -80°C;

    Avoid repetitive freeze-thaw cycles;

    The samples are shipped on dry ice. The tube should be clearly marked with the sample identifier. When shipping samples, please include all available sample information;

    Consistency in sample collection and handling is most important.
• Urine
  • According to different experimental schemes, we usually need 200 ul-1 ml urine for our lipidomics services;

    The collected urine samples must be frozen immediately to quench any biogenic and non-biogenic chemical reactions;

    Due to the lack stability of urine metabolites, repetitive freeze-thaw cycles and higher storage temperatures (such as 4°C) should be avoided;

    The samples are shipped on dry ice. The tube should be clearly marked with the sample identifier. When shipping samples, please include all available sample information.

We also provide lipidomics analysis of many other samples. You can email us to inquire about the pre-processing methods of specific samples.