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• Prospective users must receive hands-on training from facility staff before they are permitted to use the instrument independently. This applies to specialised instruments as well as shared 'household' instruments like centrifuges.
• Training cannot be conducted by another lab member, colleague, etc., unless authorised by facility personnel.
• Where possible and appropriate, training will be conducted using the user's actual samples, allowing users to gain preliminary data during the training, and enabling facility staff to assist with troubleshooting and optimisation if necessary.
• An initial meeting prior to training is required to discuss sample preparation, requirements, and constraints.
• Contact SIP staff to set up training.ÌýDr. ErbseÌýEmily ProkschÌý
• Established users should feel free to reach out to the core staff for additional training or support any time. We are always happy to give a refresher if it has been a while.

• Biopysical/Biochemical methods instruments: Trained users, approved to use specific instruments independently, will be granted access to instrument-specific Google Calendars to sign up for instrument time.
• Basic research infrastructure instruments: JSCBB users can sign up for imager time using the university's EMS scheduling system. Step-by-step instructions on how to book time through EMS can be found hereÌýEMS instructions
• Users should only book the time they require. Booking 'just in case' is not permitted. If plans change, users must update their booking as early as possible, as others may be waiting for available instrument time.
• For certain high-use instruments, there are specific sign-up rules. These will be explained to users during their training, and detailed sign-up guidelines can also be found on the individual instrument pages.

Outline for CU Boulder Users

External users should contact the facility director Dr Erbse for information.

Initial Consultation and Pilot Experiment

• The initial consultation with facility personnel is free of charge. If resources allow, SIP is happy to assist new users with a short pilot experiment at no cost.

Buying into the Pool

• If new users become regular users of the instrument(s) in the pool, their user group is expected to buy into the pool. Regular users are categorised into three groups—high, intermediate, and low—once per year, based on usage during the previous year. This designation may change annually. The principle is that everyone contributes and everyone benefits.
• In return, we maintain all instruments in excellent working order by conducting preventative maintenance, calibration, performance tests, and repairs (where possible), as well as coordinating service visits when necessary.
• Additionally, we provide expertise and assistance with project planning, data collection, troubleshooting, optimisation, and data evaluation as needed or requested by the user.
• There is no limit to the number of users from each group or the number of instruments that can be used within the pool.

Consumables, Repairs, and Service Visits

• User groups are expected to provide or cover the cost of all consumables (e.g., pipette tips, LN2, tubes, reagents).
• User groups are responsible for the cost of parts and repairs necessitated by neglect or carelessness.
• User groups are also expected to contribute to the cost of parts and repairs needed due to normal wear and tear, with costs distributed among user groups according to their percentage of overall instrument usage over the past two years. Consequently, repair costs may be incurred some time after use. Minimal users are not included in these costs.

• If users are ever unsure about the correct operation of an instrument, they should ask for assistance. Facility personnel can be contacted at any time by email, text, phone, or by visiting the office in C316 in JSCBB. Phone numbers are posted next to the instruments and on the office door, and email addresses can be found hereÌýEmily ProkschÌýDr. Erbse.
• Users are expected to leave the instruments and workspace in a good, clean condition. This includes all parts of the workspace, such as instruments, computers, keyboards, and desks, as well as the proper disposal of any samples or waste products. Samples and waste should be disposed of in the user's lab.
• After completing their experiments, users are expected to wipe down any parts of the instrument they touched, as well as any keyboard, mouse, touch pad, or desk, with a paper towel sprayed with 70% ethanol or 75% isopropanol (provided in spray bottles at the instruments).

In addition to all safety requirements mandated by EH&S for general work in research laboratories and specific work involving biohazards, radiation hazards, etc., the following safety requirements must be strictly adhered to.

Refer to the EH&S website for comprehensive information and training modules.

Mandatory Safety Training

• All users are required to complete the initial hazardous waste generator training provided by EH&S, followed by the compulsory annual refresher training.
• Any user working with radioisotopes must undergo radiation safety training through EH&S and must wear radiation badges as necessary. This training must be renewed in accordance with EH&S regulations.
• Users working with biohazards, including recombinant DNA, are required to complete the general biosafety training.

Failure to comply with these training requirements will result in loss of access to the facilities.

General Safety Rules and Considerations

• Food or drink are strictly prohibited in the labs or in the vicinity of any instruments.
• Closed-toed shoes and long pants are mandatory. Shorts, sandals, flip-flops, or bare feet are strictly forbidden.
• Safety glasses and lab coats must be worn at all times.
• Disposable gloves must be used when appropriate.
• All waste must be disposed of in strict accordance with EH&S regulations.
• If users are ever uncertain about safety procedures during experiments, they must seek assistance immediately. Facility personnel can be reached at any time via email, text, phone call, or by visiting office C316 in JSCBB. Phone numbers are posted next to the instruments and at the office door. Email addresses can be found here ÌýEmily ProkschÌýDr. ErbseÌý.
• Users intending to work outside regular hours must ensure they are not alone, inform someone nearby of their presence, and check in regularly with that person.

Non-compliance with these rules will result in immediate corrective action and may lead to restricted access to the facilities.

Contact Information In Case of Emergency

• Dr. Annette Erbse; Director of Shared Instruments Pool in Biochemistry
  • Phone: 303-492-0528 (during regular hours). If applicable, Dr. Erbse's private cell phone number is posted on the office door and at the instruments.
  • Email: erbse@colorado.edu
  • Office: JSCBB, C316
• UCB Police Dispatch (After Campus Hours): 911 or 303-492-6666
• EH&S Health Physics (During Campus Hours): 303-492-6523
• Environmental Health & Safety (During Campus Hours): 303-492-6025