Submission Guidelines

Once you have determined which sequencing (and targets, if amplicon) from our Services and Protocols pages that you want to do and you are ready to begin your submission to the IMR (consult our Real-Time Queue to see processing times), follow the below instructions:

  1. Ensure that your samples meet the minimum requirements posted on the right. Note there are no minimum samples numbers required (ie: even just 1 is accepted).
  2. Consult our new Submission Portal below for guidelines on which consumables (plates/tubes) you can use to prepare your shipment.
  3. Download the Excel template from the portal, complete it as instructed, and then upload it to complete your submission.
  4. You will then receive a "Confirmation to Ship" email from us once we have validated your submission. It will contain a copy of the below shipping instructions.
  5. If you encounter any problems, you can contact the IMR Manager directly.

Shipping Instructions

  • Prepare your package for shipping - dry ice is not required for extracted DNA for such a short transit time (it is for raw samples and RNA), as it adds to your shipping costs, but you can use regular water-tight ice packs. Make sure to seal your plates/tubes in zip-lock bags to prevent them from getting wet.
  • Our preferred shipper here at Dalhousie University is FedEx, but you can use other reputable couriers (avoid DHL, if possible). It is your responsibility to arrange and pay for your shipping.
  • If shipping internationally outside of Canada to the IMR, follow the below important guidelines to avoid Canada Customs (and US Customs while transiting) clearance delays and prioritize sending packages on Mondays (to avoid weekends):
      1. A Commercial Invoice is required for all shipments - your local admin or courier can help with templates (often is done as a part of registering the shipment online).
      2. You must declare a commercial value of $1 for Canada Customs and include (preferentially in an additional address line visible on the outside of the package) the following account to cover Customs charges: "Dalhousie grant# for Customs charges: DAL69318"
      3. You must declare the host of origin for the DNA on the descriptions (at least on the Commercial Invoice) - this is an additional Canada/US Customs requirement. For example, you may explicitly state that it is "DNA extracted from natural seawater, for research purposes only". If the DNA was extracted from human/animal materials (ex: stool), you need to state the samples are non-infectious (and be able to prove it) and should also state (if true/possible) that the subjects were pathogen-free/healthy at origin.
      4. Add the contact info for our Customs Broker (preferentially also visible on the outside of the package): "Dalhousie Customs Broker: Thompson Ahern / Tel: 519-250-0400"
  • Address your shipment as below :
      IMR (c/o Dr. André Comeau; Ph: 902-494-2684)
      Dept. of Pharmacology, room 5D
      Tupper Medical Building
      Dalhousie University
      5850 College St.
      Halifax NS B3H 4R2
  • Send your tracking# info to the IMR Manager. You will receive a "Samples Received" email from us once we have confirmed your submission has arrived in good condition.