Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at our FAQs and find answers to common questions.

General
How can I apply to your lab

Please find current job advertisements (aktuelle Stellenausschreibungen) at DKMS Family’s Careers Portal.

Is it possible to do an internship at your lab?

Please register at DKMS Family’s Careers Portal.

Does the DKMS Life Science Lab take trainees?

Please register at DKMS Family’s Careers Portal.

How can I send praise, criticism, or suggestions?

We welcome your feedback! We would like to know more about your wishes or concerns.

Your feedback is important to us and will be documented and responded to as part of our quality management, and we will incorporate your suggestions into our work. It is only with your help that we can respond to current customer needs and develop our work.

We will respond to your requests and suggestions promptly and try to find a solution. Feel free to contact us via our online contact form.




Services
What services are provided by your lab?

According to your needs, we provide genotyping of HLA and additional markers with various technologies. There is also the possibility of sending sample collection material to you before your project begins. In addition, we do have several DNA services in our portfolio.

You can find detailed information here LINK to Services.

What's the turnaround time for genotyping?

Our standard turnaround time (TAT) is 20 working days in our High-Throughput Lab. There are several fast-track workflows in our Clinical Lab with a turnaround time of a maximum of seven working days.

You can find detailed information here LINK to Services.

Which starting/sample material can be analysed?

Buccal swabs, blood, or DNA samples are usually accepted. Please contact us if you need any details.

If you wish to genotype other sample material, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

How soon should I submit the samples to the lab after sampling?

Samples for genotyping should be sent within 6 month after collection. Samples for CMV detection should reach our lab as soon as possible (within 3 weeks) after collection

Where should I send my samples?

DKMS Life Science Lab

Sample Receipt/Probeneingang

St. Petersburger Str. 2

01069 Dresden

Germany

Does the lab provide sample collection materials upon request?

We provide collection kits for each genotyping in our lab. These kits contain buccal mucosal swabs, an envelope for the swabs, and, if desired, barcodes. The number of buccal swabs per kit depends on the workflow you choose.

Any other material can be provided upon request.

Do I really need a workflow with CE-IVD reagents?

All diagnostic analyses within the EU must be performed with reagents certified for in vitro diagnostic application (CE-IVD) in accordance with EU Directive 98/79/EC, which is equivalent to FDA-approved products in the USA. In addition to these CE-IVD certified tests, we are offering workflows for other purposes. These workflows have been extensively tested and validated with results exceeding the CE-IVD marked products. However, since we developed these assays in-house, we are able to forward the cost advantages to our customers if CE-IVD labeling is not required.

Why does your standardized workflow for HLA genes only include exon 2 and 3?

In the context of donor selection for haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), it is crucial to match variation in the HLA antigen recognition domains (ARD). The ARD is the region of the mature HLA molecules encoded by exons 2 and 3 for HLA class I genes and by exon 2 for HLA class II genes. Variation outside of the ARD is currently generally considered to be of limited consequence to HSCT outcome. A known exception is non-expressed variants of certain HLA alleles (null alleles), which are caused by frame-shift mutations and highly relevant in a transplantation setting. Typing the non-ARD exons 1, 4, 6, and 7 would indeed allow the upfront identification of all such null alleles.

However, they are generally quite rare (less than 1 in 1000 samples) and the vast majority (253 of 297) are caused by frame-shift mutations within exons 2 and 3. Thus it is more efficient to screen for null alleles on a case-by-case basis rather than including further exons in the upfront high-throughput genotyping strategy.


Does the lab provide the raw sequencing data?

We are able to send you the FASTQ data after the sequencing is done. Please contact us to receive an individual offer.

Technology
What are the genotyping technologies used by the lab?

Depending on your needs, we offer different solutions. HLA can be genotyped by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Long Range Sequencing based on NGS, or rSSO.

You will find more information in Science & Technology

How is the CMV status determined?

We developed an assay to determine the CMV infection status with the advantage of non-invasive oral sampling by using buccal swabs. CMV is examined by probing for anti-CMV-IgG antibodies by applying an ELISA assay. Testing results for CMV can be obtained for > 75% of samples. The assay was validated to yield > 98% accuracy with several thousand samples from German donors.

DKMS Donor
How do I become a potential stem cell donor?

You can register as a potential stem cell donor at the registry acting in the country where you live.

DKMS registers potential stem cell donors in the following countries:

Please go to your country link.

Can I register as a potential stem cell donor at DKMS Life Science Lab?

Our laboratory performs genotyping only. If you want to register as a potential stem cell donor, please contact the registry acting in the country where you live. You can register as a potential stem cell donor at the registry acting in the country where you live.

DKMS registers potential stem cell donors in the following countries:

Please go to your country link.

I am a potential donor at DKMS already. How can I change my contact data (address, phone number, email address, etc.)?
I received my collection kit from DKMS to register as a potential stem cell donor. Can I bring it directly to the DKMS Life Science Lab instead of sending it by post?

Several thousand samples reach our laboratory every day - to deal with this, we established strict procedures. Therefore we would like to ask you to send us your samples by post only.

I am a potential donor at DKMS already. Who can I contact to ask my questions regarding the donation?

Contact

General inquiries

DKMS Life Science Lab gGmbH
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