Illumina Protein Prep Technology
User Guide
The instructions in this guide must be followed carefully to achieve the best possible results and avoid delays in processing your request.
Samples that do not comply with the recommendations may be rejected without compensation.
Note that delays in the processing of samples will vary depending on the size of the project. It is recommended to contact the Client Management Office for information regarding processing time.
- General Information
- Starting Material
- Requirements – Volumes
- Required Containers and Sample Identification
- Service Request Form and Sample Submission
- Sample Shipment Preparation
- Transmission of results
General Information
Importance of sample collection and processing conditions
Plasma and serum proteins are complex matrices whose composition can be significantly influenced by pre-analytical conditions.
Variations in collection methods and tube types, processing delays, freeze–thaw cycles, or storage containers may alter the protein profiles detected by the Illumina Protein Prep technology, thereby compromising the comparability of results between samples or across projects.
For more information on the importance of collection and processing conditions and their impact on results, please refer to the following resource : Input and sample collection for the Illumina Protein Prep (IPP) | Illumina Knowledge
Blood sample collection and preparation
The collection conditions outlined below reflect Illumina-validated recommendations for the Illumina Protein Preparation technology. For any collection performed using other tube types or under different conditions, contact the Client Management Office.
| Parameters | Plasma | Serum |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended collection tube type | EDTA tube | Non- anticoagulant tube |
| Processing time | Process within 30 minutes after collection | Allow to clot for 60–90 minutes at R.T. before centrifugation |
| Centrifugation | 2200 × g, 15 min at R.T | 2200 × g, 15 min at R.T. |
| Fraction to collect | Plasma – avoid the buffy coat layer | Serum |
| Aliquotage | Immediately after centrifugation | Within 30 minutes after centrifugation |
| Conservation | –80 °C | –80 °C |
| Freeze/thaw cycles | Minimize (Recommended: maximum of 2 cycles) | Minimize (Recommended: maximum of 2 cycles) |
Starting Material
The starting material is plasma or serum.
Do not mix sample types (plasma and serum) within the same service request, as they require distinct protocols and cannot be processed simultaneously.
The presence of hemolysis in a sample may affect protein profiles.
It is recommended that samples within the same project undergo a similar number of freeze–thaw cycles and a consistent pre-analytical processing workflow. If in doubt, contact the Client Management Office.
Requirements – Volume
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommanded |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | ≥55 µL per sample | 100 µL |
- The volume entered in the sample submission form must exactly match the physical volume in the plate.
- Replacement samples must meet total requirements.
Required Containers and Sample Identification
Recommendation: use low-protein-binding plastic containers (e.g., certified low-binding microtubes or cryovials) to minimize non-specific adsorption and maximize protein recovery.
Important : if your samples are stored in a different type of container, please contact the Client Management Office prior to any thawing or sample transfer to confirm compatibility.
| Recommended containers | Accepted containers |
| 2D Matrix plates – Cat# 3744-WP1D-BR | – 1.5mL tubes – 2mL Cryovials – 96-well PCR plates |
- Each 96-well plate must correspond to a single submission form and be labeled exactly as indicated.
- Samples must be arranged in the plate according to the layout specified in the sample submission form.
Service Request Form and Sample Submission
Click on request a service and submit samples to view the instructions.
Sample Shipment Preparation
Click here for instructions on preparing samples for shipment.
Transmission of Results
The Dragen Protein Quantification report, as well as a normalized count file in ADAT format, will be provided via Nanuq. Additional analyses such as differential expression or multi-omics comparisons are available upon request.
Version 1.0_2026-04-21