How to migrate laboratory information from GeneTests
If your laboratory is currently participating in the GeneTests Laboratory Directory, you may copy the lab data and register your laboratory in the Genetic Testing Registry by the process we are terming migration. In other words, although there are several avenues available for registering tests in the GTR, the GTR does require that you follow the following steps for laboratory-specific information when migrating data from GeneTests.
At this moment, only one person per laboratory is allowed to submit lab and test data for that lab. We are currently working to be able to allow multiple lab personnel to update and submit lab and test data in the GTR submission interface.
- Login to the GTR submission system
- Initiate the migration step
- Log into GeneTests to verify that you have the authority to do this migration
- Review the information that was transferred, and add new information
- Submit your laboratory data
- Step-by-step instructions
Login to the GTR submission system
You must first log into the GTR submission system, using your MyNCBI credentials, by following the instructions detailed here.
When you log in for the first time, you will need to read and accept the Code of Conduct.
Initiate the migration step
When you have logged in, you should see a link 'Migrate data from GeneTests'. Click on this link so you can next be authenticated in GeneTests. For more details about starting the migration process, please use the migration overview.
Log into GeneTests to verify that you have the authority to do this migration.
After you have logged into GeneTests, you will be presented with the list of laboratories you have the authority to process. Click the Migrate lab data link next to your laboratory name. Then click the View/Edit Lab Submission link that will take you to your laboratory record for editing.
Review the information that was transferred, and add new information
The collection of information about your laboratory is grouped in three tabs: "Lab information", "Personnel" and "Licensure and accreditations". The fourth tab "Default parameters" is designed to collect information common to your tests in order to reduce the burden of repeated data entry. The information you enter here will populate the corresponding fields in all your test records. Subsequently, as you submit individual test records you will see this information pre-populate relevant fields which you may edit as appropriate.
You are strongly encouraged to review the records since some information may not have been transferred properly or may need updating. The minimal fields Facility phone number and Email address may need to be entered as these do not map precisely to information contained in GeneTests. You are still taken through the four tabs with information about the lab. We encourage you to provide the information on these pages as it will be important for users of the GTR to learn about your laboratory. You should add all personnel during the lab submission step to make it easier to designate test-specific contact personnel during the test submission step. Otherwise, you would need to return to the lab submission to add the person entry, then return to the test record to select the person as the test-specific contact.
Minimal fields required for lab registration are flagged with an orange asterisk that turns gray once information is filled in. To help you decide how to fill each data element, there are tool tips on each field identified by a blue question mark. When you hover over these icons, the tool tip will display. If the information is not displaying, just rest your mouse over the icon for 2 seconds (do not click).
The information below has been transferred from your laboratory's record in GeneTests if it was available. As you review and update your record in GTR, you will see this information displayed in the appropriate fields. The information below is grouped by tabs as it appears in the submission interface. Minimal fields are those that are required for registration in GTR so we encourage you to pay close attention to them. To see all laboratory fields and corresponding field requirements click here.
Lab information tab
Name of laboratory (minimal)
GeneTests lab ID
Name of Institution
Country or region (minimal)
City (minimal)
State or Province
Postal code (minimal)
Make this address public? (minimal)
Phone number (minimal)
Fax number
Email (minimal)
Lab website URL
Laboratory types of service
Personnel tab
First name (minimal)
Middle initial
Last name (minimal)
Should this person's information be displayed on the GTR public site? (minimal)
Is this person the primary lab contact? (minimal)
Is this person a lab director? (minimal)
Job title. Please play close attention to this field to ensure accuracy of migrated data.
Academic degree
Professional credentials
Phone number
Fax number
Licensure and accreditations tab
CLIA certification # (minimal for labs offering clinical tests in the US)
CLIA exp. date (minimal for labs offering clinical tests in the US)
Submit your laboratory data.
Complete directions about how to complete the laboratory forms are provided in specific tabs under the Lab Submission menu a the top of this document.
At the overview tab you have the opportunity to view the data you entered as plain text or you can click the "Preview how your test will display" link at the top and at the bottom of that page. Your lab is not submitted yet! Please click the "Submit" button in order to submit your lab.
Once you click the "Submit" button your lab information is processed by GTR. You will receive an email in your inbox entitiled "Acknowledgement of your GTR submission" that will tell you whether your lab was submitted successfully of if there are issues that need to be addressed. If issues were found, a GTR staff member may contact you about your submission.
In your GTR submission homepage, there is a column next to your lab name that shows you the status of your submission (e.g. processed - ok; submission rejected). This lets you know if your lab has been submitted sucessfully or if it needs attention. A GTR staff member may contact you about your submission.
You now have several options to continue. These include migrating your test data from Genetests or creating new test records in the GTR. Those options are present as links in your GTR submissions page. We do encourage you to
Step-by-step instructions
Complete step by step instructions (with diagrams) for initiating a migration process are provided under Submission->Migration Overview.
1. Log in to https://submit.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/subs/gtr.
- if you already have a MyNCBI account, please use your credentials.
- if you do not have a MyNCBI account, please create one at: MyNCBI interface.
2. Accept the Code of Conduct (only the first time)
3. Update your profile (only the first time)
- Please make sure the box "Send email notifications on submission status change" is checked.
4. In your personal GTR Submission homepage there are two (2) options on the left hand side:
- Add a new lab button - to be used only to enter a lab without migration
- Migrate data from GeneTests link - used to copy information to GTR from GeneTests. Please click this link.
5. Enter your GeneTests Laboratory Directory credentials (login and password) and submit.
6. Click the "Migrate lab data" link next to your laboratory name.
7. Click the "View/Edit Lab Submission"
8. You are now in the record for your laboratory in the GTR Submission user interface. You will need to review each tab, in the order presented and click the Save & continue button at the bottom of each page.
9. Review, edit and add information about your lab.
10. At the Overview tab you can review the lab information entered. Click the "Preview how your lab will display" link on the top and bottom of the page to open a new page to view your lab record as GTR users will see it. At this point your lab is not yet submitted. You need to come back to the submission page.
11. Click the "Submit" button on the top or on the bottom of the Overview page.
12. Review the status of your submission on your submission home page.
13. Your laboratory information must be submitted successfully before you can migrate test information or add test information.