FAQs and Articles


Got questions about meenta? Here are some common questions. When you need to know more try a search for the terms that match your question.

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General Questions

  • Can I cancel a booking?

    Yes, you can cancel a booking within the first 48 hours of the initial order.

    However, if the booking date is within 2 days of the run date, there is a penalty.

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  • How do I get my data? What files?

    We will notify you by email or SMS when your data is ready. You will receive a download key and instructions for our sure file cloud. You can use the key to pull down or transfer your FASQ files.

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  • How does Meenta ensure quality Hosts?

    Yes. The Host has to designate this capability in their profile. Just search for “customer primer” and matching Hosts will populate matching labs.

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  • How does instant book differ from another booking?

    Instant Booking: This provides a way to book lanes or flow cells that are pre-configured and are ready to go on a specific date. This means there is no back and forth since both the User is committed to having samples run a specific date.

    Booking Requests: This provides the user with the ability to request, from the Host, the number of lanes or flow cells, read length and read type for a future date. The host can then either approve or decline. Unlike an instant book, the user needs to wait for confirmation.

    Rule of Thumb: if you need a sample sequenced ASAP, then look for instant bookings. If you have time, then you can make a request and communicate with a host.

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  • Is analysis included?

    Not at this time. FASQ files are delivered using our cloud, but check back with us soon.

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  • Is there a fee for month when no booking are made?

    Simply NO! We only charge a fee when there is a booking. There is no monthly charge for an account active or inactive.

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  • Is there a penalty for missing the data delivery date?

    Yes. A late sample submission fee of 10% is applied to the User when samples are submitted less than 2 business days prior to the Instant Booking date.

    A late data delivery fee of 10% is applied to the Host when they miss their data delivery date; 5 days for Instant Bookings and 10 days for Booking Requests.

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  • Is there a way for the Host and User to communicate with each other?

    Yes, there is a Chat tool within the app once you register. This tool is provides to centralize all communications, help Meenta provide a resolution of concerns and minimize email chains.

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  • What sequencing platforms do you support?

    All Illumina NGS instruments, except MiniSeq.

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  • Where can I find the Terms of Service?

    It is listed on your dashboard after you login. Here is a link.

    https://meenta.io/user-terms

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Host Questions

  • Can the Host refer large projects to other Hosts?

    Please contact us if this would be a feature you like.

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  • Does Meenta subtract the Host fee from our genomic service price?

    No, the Meenta service fees are invoiced to you as a Host directly every month. This is because some cores have rules for providing constant external pricing to their users, like us, and we want a consistent policy.

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  • Does Meenta subtract the Host fee from our genomic service price? -

    No, the Meenta service fees are invoiced to you as a Host directly every month. This is because some cores have rules for providing constant external pricing to their users, like us, and we want a consistent policy.

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  • How Is The Data Delivery

    When the FASQ files are ready, use the Meenta upload token to upload the files to our cloud storage. Meenta will handle notify the user.

    The upload token is specific to each sample and located in the sample data tab.

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  • How are we going to know sample quality?

    As Host you determine what parameters you require (if any) in order to accept a booking or request. As a User you will see these requirements when you go through the booking and sample submission process with the Host.

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  • How do I make a single lane available?

    To make a lane available, you need to setup an instrument in your meenta lab. Then use the ‘Create Scheduled Run’ This will allow you to specific the date, number of available lanes and the configure; Paired End vs Single Read, Read Length etc.

    Once the lane is scheduled it will appear on our search engine.

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  • How do I take an instrument offline?

    There are two steps to taking a instrument offline; remove scheduled lanes and set the request status.

    Step 1: Check the instruments scheduled runs. Remove any future lanes you might have already added.

    Step 2: Update the instrument to disable the flag that lets users make a request.

    You can confirm that the instrument is offline, by doing a search!

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  • How do the Hosts get paid?

    We will pay within 30 days of uploading the data to the Meenta cloud. Currently Meenta sends payments by check to the billing address for a hosts account.

    Note: ACH and Credit Cards are coming.

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  • I’m a host. What penalties apply if I need to cancel a reservation?

    No. There are no penalties if you cancel any booking within the first 48 hours of an order.

    After the initial 48 hours, you can cancel up to 3 orders every 6 months. If you cancel more than 3 your account can be activated.

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  • What QC metrics do I have to provide?

    Check the requirements during your sample submission process as each Host site is different. Every host defines their sample submission requirements.

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  • What does a quality Host look like?

    We are working on this metric, but are open to suggestions which you can submit using the “?” help icon at the bottom right of out website.

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  • What if Meenta is unable to collect the Hosts genomic service fees?

    This is a very rare occurrence. No, the Host gets paid what Meenta gets paid. We would not reduce the Host genomic service payment due to any collection efforts made by Meenta.

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  • Who can be a Host?

    If you own an instrument (US based accredited academic institution or a commercial entity in good standing) and are willing to accept samples, then you can be a host,

    Simple register for an account, or if you already have access to Meenta, create your first instrument in the ‘Lab’ section. This will open our instrument wizard that will walk you through the selection and configuration.

    Register Now

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User Questions

  • Can I cancel a sample order?

    Yes. You can cancel it without any cost within 48 hours of the order.

    However, if the booking date is within 2 days of the run date, there is a penalty.

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  • Can I get a rerun if the Host delivers data below minimum (QC/total reads)?

    Call us. In most cases we will rerun the sample. We do want to review the in-coming sample quality metrics and data deliverables.

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  • Can I request a test run to optimize the molarity and loading of my sample pool?

    Not at this time.

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  • Can the Host reject booking request?

    Yes, they can. Please see our cancellation policy and summary for the options available for both users and hosts.

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  • Do I have to perform any QC on my samples?

    Yes, the Host designates their sample submission criteria in their site profile. These will be visible to you as the User during your sample submission process. A Host may also elect to accept your samples “at risk” which would not be covered by the Meenta re0run guarantee.

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  • Do I have to pool my samples?

    Yes, all samples must be pooled and ready to sequence.

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  • Do you offer QC services for my library samples?

    No, we do not, but we would be happy to refer you to a Host that does. Also feel free to ask your Host using the Chat app during your booking and checkout process.

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  • Do you offer QPCR quant services for my library samples?

    No, we do not. At this time we only accept prepped land quantitated libraries.

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  • Do you only accept prepared libraries?

    Yes, but there are a only few site who also will perform library preps.

    Library preps require more communication betweens users and hosts, so please check the Hosts sample requirements first.

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  • How are samples submitted/sent?

    Use the sample submission tool during the booking process and use the pre-paid shipping label. We provide the option to purchase an print a label, or if you already have a shipping agent, enter your tracking number.

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  • How do I pay for sequencing?

    You must be registered with a validated payment method before a booking is possible. A credit card or Purchase Order can be set-up in minutes. Purchase Orders should be addressed to; Meenta, Inc, 71 Commercial Street #271, Boston MA 02109. If the PO payment option is not enabled in your User profile please send us a request to; support@meenta.io or via the Chat feature on the site.

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  • How do the libraries have to be submitted?

    Print our pre-paid shipping label and send directly to the Host.

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  • I need my samples processed immediately. What should I do?

    Use the Instant Book option. this will guarantee a specific run date for your booking. Please make sure your samples arrive at the Host site at least 2 days prior to the run so they can perform QC if required.

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  • I want to know what genes are differentially expressed. Which option do I choose?

    Book or request a booking with a Host and discuss your questions with them directly using the Chat feature in the app.

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  • Is there a penalty for late sample submissions?

    Yes. A late sample submission fee of 10% is applied to the User when samples are submitted less than 2 business days prior to the Instant Booking date.

    A late data delivery fee of 10% is applied to the Host when they miss their data delivery date; 5 days for Instant Bookings and 10 days for Booking Requests.

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  • What happens when I am not happy with my results?

    Call us. In most cases we will rerun the sample. We do want to review the in-coming sample quality metrics and data deliverables.

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  • When do I ship my samples?

    For Instant Bookings and Booking Requests all samples must arrive at least 2 business days prior to the booking date. Your account samples will show their required ship date.

    Coming Soon: Meenta will start sending email or SMS ‘ship now’ notifications.

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  • When will the Host run my samples?

    For Instant Bookings the Host must start your run within 3 days of the booking date.

    For Booking Requests the Host must start your run within 7 days of the requested booking date.

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  • Why can a Host reject my booking request?

    There are multiple reasons, but some are that the samples do not meet incoming QC, a track record of submitting low-quality samples or sending samples after the booking date, etc.

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Sample Questions

  • Can I get advice about how to perform QC on my samples?

    Yes, but you have to be registered as a User and make sure inquiries through the chat feature in the app.

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  • Can I get my samples back?

    Yes, just send a message to the Host using our Chat tool. Shipping costs are your responsibility.

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  • Can someone help me determine the best NGS approach for my samples?

    Once you register you can communicate with the Host through our Chat tool.

    Experiment design is specific to each lab and research project.

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  • Do you accept Methyl-Seq and RRBS samples for sequencing?

    Yes, but check with the Host for their minimum read return since this is dependent on instrument chemistry and flow cell.

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  • Does the Host demultiplex the data?

    Hosts will deliver FASTQ files which may or may not include demultiplexed data. Please check with the Host lab. Also check back with us as this may be a future offering.

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  • My libraries require a Custom Primer. Will you accept my samples for sequencing?

    Yes. The Host has to designate this capability in their profile. Just search for “customer primer” and matching Hosts will populate matching labs.

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  • My samples require a Custom Read Length. Will you accept my samples for sequencing?

    The Host has the ability to designate whether they accept custom read lengths or not. Just search or the read length you need and Hosts matching your read length will populate.

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  • What happens if there is a sample failure?

    Call us. In most cases we will rerun the sample. We do want to review the in-coming sample quality metrics and data deliverables.

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  • What is the minimum sample molarity / sample volume requirement for sequencing?

    The Host designates these requirements in their site profile which will be visible to you during the sample submission process.

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  • When will I get my data?

    For Instant Bookings the Host must deliver your data within 5 business days.

    For Booking Requests the Host must deliver your data within 10 business days.

    Why the different delivery periods? Instant books are scheduled, so host resources are dedicated. With Booking Requests the Hosts have a larger delivery period to allows for short term instrument schedule changes.

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  • Will the Host perform pooling?

    No. Hosts only accepted pooled samples…but there are a few exceptions.

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