- What is the difference between an aliquot and derivative?
When a sample is divided into smaller portions which are similar in characteristics like the parent, they are called aliquots. E.g., a 10 ml blood tube is aliquoted into 10x1 ml tubes. They only differ in quantity. Derivatives are processed outcome of a parent specimen which differ in characteristics like type and pathological status. E.g. a DNA, RNA, plasma, etc.
- Is aliquot the lowest level of specimen, and can’t have any derived specimen from it?
There are no restrictions. Derivatives can be aliquoted and aliquots can be further processed.
- If we have a tissue which will have RNA, DNA and protein from it. Then the tissue has to be a derivative or parent specimen, right?
Tissue will be parent specimen. RNA, DNA, Protein will be derivatives of the tissue.
- Can aliquot has different information such as tissue specimen review information from their parents?
Yes, additional/different events like tissue specimen review event can be added at child level.