Frequently Asked Questions
Creating and Activating Your Customer Account
How do I create and activate my Customer account?
To get started with Perseus Biomics, you need to fill out the registration form, which collects the necessary information to create your customer account. Once submitted, an inactive account will be created. Your account will be activated by a sales representative, and you will be notified once it's active.
How is each customer uniquely identified?
Each customer is uniquely identified by their VAT number. If your organization has multiple users or departments but only one VAT number, you can create different contacts within your Customer Account.
How do I access my account once it's activated?
Once your account is activated, you can access it by visiting here. All users can log in using the password set during the registration process.
Customer Account Overview
What can I manage through the B2B Account dashboard?
You can manage your entire organization, orders, samples, and financial data efficiently through the comprehensive B2B Account dashboard.
What details can be specified for each role?
When a role is selected or created, the administrator can specify detailed information and settings, including:
- General information: Define the role name.
- Assignments: Manage permissions, contingencies, order-related tasks, and budget.
- Visibility: Control what the role can see or access, such as role visibility, contact visibility, billing addresses, and shipping addresses.
How are roles assigned to contacts?
Once roles are defined, they can be assigned to each contact within the "Contact management" section.
Contact Management How do I manage contacts within the company?
The contact management section allows administrators to view and manage contacts. To add a new contact, select the role first and click "Create contact." Administrators can filter assignments and sort contacts by various criteria.
What information is needed to create a new contact?
When creating a new contact, the administrator fills out the following: Salutation, First name, Last name, Email, and Department (if applicable). There is an option to send an email for password selection.
How do I edit an existing contact?
When editing an existing contact, the administrator can update general information and manage permissions, role assignments, default billing and shipping addresses, contingencies, budget, and visibility.
Billing Address
How do I manage billing addresses?
The billing addresses section allows administrators to manage and view billing addresses for each contact associated with the company. If changes are needed, the administrator should contact their sales representative for assistance.
Shipping Address
Can I add multiple shipping addresses?
Yes, administrators can manage and view all shipping addresses associated with the company and add more than one shipping address to accommodate different needs, departments, and locations.
Budget Management
How do I manage budgets?
The budget management section allows administrators to oversee and manage all budgets associated with the company. Use the “Create Budget" button to add new budgets and manage details like identifier, name, used amount, available amount, capacity, responsible contact, status, and email notifications for percentage usage.
Contingent Management
How do I manage contingent groups?
The contingent management section allows administrators to manage and view all contingent groups within the company per role/contact. When creating a new contingent group, administrators fill out the contingent group name and description. This helps organize and control various contingencies related to budget, resources, and responsibilities.
Project Initiation
How do I start a project and place an order?
To start your project and sample analysis, place your order through your personal account on Perseus Biomics' online shop. You can track its status in the Orders tab. In the Sample Manager tab, you can link your Sample Reference Number to the Perseus Biomics’ sample IDs found on the Sample labels you'll receive.
When will I receive the sample labels?
A few days after placing your order, you will receive the corresponding Sample Labels on a Sample Label Sheet by post. Labels are shipped to the shipping address selected upon creating your order.
What should I do if I need to change the shipping address?
If you need to change or add shipment addresses, check the account modification section. Any modifications to the shipping addresses need to be made prior to placing your order. Contact your representative if changes are needed urgently.
Sample Collection and Storage
What are the recommendations for sample stabilization?
Perseus Biomics recommends two methods for sample stabilization: using a stabilization buffer or freezing samples immediately. For best results, use fresh samples or samples rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 °C.
Which stabilization buffers are recommended?
Perseus Biomics recommends using the OMNIgene GUT kit (DNA Genotek) or kits based on DNA-Shield (Zymo Research). If your preferred buffer is not listed, contact your representative to discuss options.
Sample Quality and Quantity Assessment
What are the minimum quality and quantity requirements for samples?
All samples must adhere to the minimum quality and quantity requirements outlined in the Sample Submission Guidelines section of our Guidelines. Deviations may result in failed QC checks, additional charges, delays, or altered analysis performance.
Sample Submission Guidelines
What are the requirements for submitting stool and cell samples?
Stool samples should be stabilized with DNA shield or frozen immediately, with a quantity of 0.5-2.5 grams. Cell samples require 109 intact cells, either stabilized or frozen. Ensure samples meet quality standards and shipment temperature requirements.
Ethical and Regulatory Compliance
What are the ethical and regulatory compliance requirements for samples?
All samples requiring ethical oversight or donor consent must have obtained necessary approvals before sending to Perseus Biomics’ facilities. Ensure sample containers are sealed appropriately to maintain integrity during storage and transport.
Sample Labeling
How should samples be labeled?
All samples must be labeled using the barcoded labels supplied by Perseus Biomics. Follow the guidelines for proper labeling to avoid processing delays and additional charges. Mislabeling that results in unreadable barcodes may cause delays.
Shipment of Samples
How should samples be shipped?
Samples should be shipped to Perseus Biomics’ Service Lab in Tienen, Belgium. Use protective packaging and select appropriate shipping methods. Include relevant warnings and markings, and notify Perseus Biomics of the shipment in advance.
What information should be included in the shipment notification?
The notification should include your Perseus Biomics order number, quantity of samples, dispatch date, estimated time of arrival, carrier’s name, and tracking number.
Biohazard Materials
How should biohazard materials be handled and shipped?
Communicate the presence of biologically or chemically hazardous materials to Perseus Biomics before shipment. Assign the correct UN number to samples and follow packaging, labeling, and documentation requirements for hazardous materials.
Sample Assignment
How do I assign sample reference numbers to Perseus Biomics’ sample IDs?
Write your organization sample reference/name on the peelable label containing the unique Perseus Biomics Sample ID. Enter your sample reference number/name next to the corresponding Perseus Biomics’ Sample ID in your account under the Sample Manager tab. Only sample Reference Numbers matched in the Sample Manager tab will be listed on the final report. Matching must be done before the final report is uploaded upon analysis completion. If not matched prior, the final analysis reports will only include Perseus Biomics’ sample IDs.
Sample Tracking
How can I track the progress of my samples?
Log in to your account on the Perseus Biomics shop and navigate to the "Sample Manager" tab. You can track the status of your samples, view and download final reports, and access other important information related to your order.
What do the different status updates mean?
- Due: Waiting for the sample to arrive.
- Received: Sample received.
- Processing: Sample is undergoing analysis.
- Sample report available: Analysis finished, report available for download.
- Canceled: Sample is canceled.
- Potential issue identified: An issue was identified during analysis.
By following these guidelines and utilizing the B2B Account dashboard, you can efficiently manage your account, orders, samples, and financial data with Perseus Biomics.