Instruments

URMC Flow Core Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all URMC Flow Cytometry Core Instrurments. If you have questions about these guidelines, please contact Tim Bushnell.

Before getting access to any core instrument, you will need to be trained in the proper use of the equipment. If you have not been trained, please contact Tim Bushnell to arrange training.
If your run is taking longer than expected and will run into another users time, they have the right to bump you at the time their run is to start.
If you anticipate needing to use the machine after hours, please make sure you understand fully how to change the fluidics and shut down the instrument.
Time for instruments will be billed based on the time reserved and/or time used, whichever is longer.
The cancellation policy is as follows:
- For sorting - Users must cancel their time 48 hours in advance of their scheduled appointment. This is done by notifying a staff member and also filling out the cancellation form found on the navigation panel.
- For analysis - Users must cancel their time no less than 24 hours in advance of their scheduled appointment. Users must also submit a cancellation form found in the navigation panel.
- For both sorting and analysis - reservations from 6pm to 9am may be cancelled at any time without worry.
Follow all posted cleaning guidelines. If you have questions, ask the core personnel.
If the instrument maintenance policies are not followed, there will be a $35 fee charged. Policies include but are not limited to cleaning protocols, not shutting down the instrument if you are the last investigator for the day, etc.
If you access the instruments in non-standard business hours (M-F 9 am-5pm), you are responsible for checking the calendar and shutting down the instrument if you are the last user for the day. Failure to shut down the instrument will result in the following penalties:
- Immediate loss of access to the flow core until you have met with Tim
- Your account being charged for the time the instrument was left on.
In the event the instrument you are booked on is down, the core personnel will notify you as soon as possible, and will make every effort to reschedule your experiment as close to your initial time as possible. This may require the use of a different instrument. If you are uncomfortable running this instrument, the core will assist you and waive the $20/hour operator assist fee
Experiments will be deleted off the database at the end of each week. They will be deleted off the local computer at the end of the month.
Exported FCS files will be deleted off the computer once a week. The Core will not back up this data. If you are missing FCS files, they can be recovered from archived experiments.
Do not change the filter configuration without first discussing changes with Tim. Inappropriate filter configuration can lead to erroneous data. If the filters are changed for a particular experiment, they should be returned to the default configuration when you are finished. It is always advisable to check the filter configuration before you begin.
Do not make custom instrument configurations of the LSR. If you think you need one, discuss your need with Tim.
When designing poly-chromatic experiments, it is strongly encouraged to make an appointment with Tim Bushnell to review the experimental design to make sure that it can be run on the LSR-II.
Bring the proper controls!

CVRI Users: View guidelines.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday at 10am, MRB 3-9654

FRET Applications in Flow Cytometry: Theory and Practice

-1 December (Tuesday) at 1pm in 3-9654

Training Lecture - MC 3-6232

Nov 9, 30; Dec 7, 21