Policies
Light Microscopy Suite
Attribution
Facility users must acknowledge the Imaging Core facility in any published work that reports data collected and processed using either core equipment or staff assistance. The facility is supported by federal funds, which must be acknowledged.
Based on NIH attribution guidelines, users are required to use the following attribution statement:
“Imaging studies were conducted in the UND Imaging Core facility supported by NIH grant P20GM113123, DaCCoTA CTR NIH grant U54GM128729, and UNDSMHS funds."
Please note also that NIH requires that all articles arising from NIH supported work (including work in NIH supported core facilities) must be deposited in PubMed Central and have a PMCID. Please adhere to this policy.
Consultation and Training
- Prospective users of the confocal and fluorescence microscopy equipment are encouraged to contact Dr. Amanda Haage (777-5627; amanda.haage@UND.edu) prior to beginning their project to discuss feasibility and design of proposed imaging studies.
- Training on the equipment by Imaging Core personnel is required of all users. Users will need to demonstrate an adequate level of expertise in the use and care of the light microscope systems before being permitted independent access to the facility. First time users must contact the light microscopy technician, Sarah Abrahamson (777-3399; sarah.abrahamson@UND.edu) to schedule training.
Scheduling
- Users must schedule their time on the online sign-up sheet posted on the Light Microscopy Suite website (Scheduling). Independent access to machinery will be granted once training has been completed. Until users have been fully trained and receive their independent access, they are asked to contact the light microscopy technician to schedule training times at 777-3399.
- PLEASE contact the light microscopy technician if you are unable to use the microscope at your assigned time. If a user is more than 20 minutes late, without having given notice, the assigned time slot will be deleted from the on-line sign up sheet and given to another user.
User Responsibilities
- Samples for training will be provided by the Imaging Core for training purposes only. Should the user wish to train with their own samples, they will be billed the hourly usage rate for the equipment they are utilizing in accordance with the current Imaging Core’s pricing schedule.
- Software for image processing and post-acquisition data analysis is available on the Imaging Core’s workstation. Software available includes Olympus FV1000 Viewer, Imaris, FIJI, Huygens, LAS X.
- Data on the microscope computer hard drives that are over one month old will be deleted at the beginning of each month. To avoid loss of data, users are strongly encouraged to transfer their imaging data to their own storage media or to a server site at the end of each imaging session.
- If you should encounter problems with any of the microscopes or workstations, be sure to ask Imaging Core personnel for help rather than to try and fix the problem yourself.
After Hours Usage
- In order to use the Imaging Core-Light Microscopy Suite after hours you must:
- Have at least 20 hours of usage on the scope you wish to use.
- Receive clearance from the light microscopy technician or core director.
- Once clearance is received, access will be granted via your university ID card.
- Allow up to one week for clearance to be enacted
- If a user is found to be not following imaging center or university policies, after-hour use privileges may be revoked.
Electron Microscopy Suite
Attribution
Facility users must acknowledge the Imaging Core facility in any published work that reports data collected and processed using either core equipment or staff assistance. The facility is supported by federal funds, which must be acknowledged.
Based on NIH attribution guidelines, users are required to use the following attribution statement:
“Imaging studies were conducted in the UND Imaging Core facility supported by NIH grant P20GM113123, DaCCoTA CTR NIH grant U54GM128729, and UNDSMHS funds."
Please note also that NIH requires that all articles arising from NIH supported work (including work in NIH supported core facilities) must be deposited in PubMed Central and have a PMCID. Please adhere to this policy.
Consultation and Training
- Prospective users of the electron microscopy equipment should contact Dr. Amanda Haage (777-5627; amanda.haage@UND.edu) prior to beginning their project to discuss feasibility and design of proposed electron microscopy studies.
- Training on the equipment by Imaging Core personnel is required of all users. Users will need to demonstrate an adequate level of expertise in the use and care of the electron microscopes before being permitted independent access to the facility. First time users must contact Sarah Abrahamson (777-3399; sarah.abrahamson@UND.edu) to schedule training.
Scheduling
Time on the TEM and SEM is scheduled by contacting Sarah Abrahamson (777-3399; sarah.abrahamson@UND.edu). Users who cannot use their scheduled time or will be late are expected to contact Sarah Abrahamson. Users who are late for their scheduled time risk forfeiting their scope time if they do not contact Sarah Abrahamson beforehand.
User Responsibilities
Users of the instrumentation must be technically proficient in the operation of the EM, based on previous experience with, or training on, the Hitachi instruments. Training samples will be provided by the imaging core. Should the user wish to train with their own samples, they will be billed the hourly usage rate for the equipment they are utilizing in accordance with the current Imaging Core’s pricing schedule. Users are expected to provide a portable storage device for retrieving images.
After Hours Usage
Users wishing to use the electron microscopy equipment after hours must contact either Dr. Bryon Grove or Sarah Abrahamson.