Policies

The core facility serves a large number of user laboratories. Consequently we have instituted rules and regulations to maximize efficiency and allow us to perform the numerous tasks that are needed to keep the Core laboratory a functional and state-of-the-art facility.

1. Please remember to log your time in the Research Core Store after using any instrument. Failure to do so will necessitate that we estimate your use from the sign-up calendar and you will inevitably be charged more.

2. Appointments for use of the core facility can be made by phone, e-mail, or by online web calendar. When the assistance of facility personnel is requested please provide a short description of each of your experiments ahead of time on the facility recharge form.

3. It is advisable to be present whenever your samples are analyzed by us on the flow cytometer. If you choose to drop off your samples prior to the experiment please clearly label the samples with your name, lab PI and phone number and place them in the large refrigerator. Due to limited space we have to discard your fixed samples if they have not been picked up within 48 hours.

4. It is your responsibility to provide enough storage space for experiments to be performed on your own disk for data storage or to be stored on the flow cytometry server. All data from all computers will be uniformly erased after one month - NO EXCEPTIONS.

5. The FACSVantage SE DIVA can NEVER be used to sort live biohazardous samples. However, ‘live’ non-hazardous cells or fixed cells of any kind can be sorted under sterile conditions.

The FACSAria does have an aerosol containment system that has been certified by the UConn Health Center Safety Office and can be used to sort biohazardous samples. Please contact Drs. Aguila or Lefrançois prior to scheduling sorts of biohazardous materials.