FEES (updated in January 2024)

    • Non-Biology (within U of S) users should provide a CFOAPAL account and contact information for direct fee transfer before using the equipment.
    • Besides the equipment usage/material fees, technical assistance for material preparation etc. will be charged at $30 per hour, or at case-specific rate.
Equipment Biology Non-Biology Non-U of S
Apotome - $20 / h $20 / h
AxioPlan - $5 / h $5 / h
Confocals    - $30 / h $50 / h
Critical Point Dryer   - $10 / run $20 / run
Dissection (digital) - $2 / h $2 / h
Freeze Dryer - $2 / h  $2 / h 
Gold Coater $15 / run $30 / run $30 / run
Microtome, ultrathin - 10 / h 20 / h
Microtome, cryostat - 10 / h 20 / h
Microtome, rotary - free free
SEM * $10 / h $30 / h $65 / h
TEM - n/a n/a
Atomic Absorption Spec  - tbd tbd
Scintillation Counter   - $4/h (min$10 1st, max$1000/yr)
Consumables   at cost-recovery rates

* A one-time training fee of $30 will apply for the first visit of all external users.

 

POLICIES

   

    Booking/Scheduling

    • Available only to trained and authorized users.
    • For Confocal users, clearly indicate which lasers (include UV light) are being used.
    • Cancel your booking 24 hr ahead if you could not use the time in order to free the slot for other users. If less than 24 hrs, please inform lab manager asap.

    Access to the Equipment

    • Accessible only to the authorized users. Using your own keycard to access the lab. External users should contact the lab administrator to enter the Microscopy suite.
    • An individual computer password will be required where applicable to access the some of the equipment - do not give your password to anyone – you are responsible for the security or any damage of the equipment when it is being operated under your password.

    Operation of the Equipment

    • Only qualified individuals are allowed to operate the microscopes.
    • Graduate students, PDFs and PIs in the Department of Biology with basic training are qualified to operate the microscopes.
    • Undergraduates can only operate the microscopes with a supervisor or lab manager present.
    • All external users can only operate microscopes at the discretion of the lab manager. Training is provided, but associated fees would be applied should an extensive amount of training be required.

    Maintenance

    • Stick to the general lab safety rules: no food/drink inside the lab, PPE required when handling with hazardous materials.
    • Daily problems should be reported immediately to the microscopy lab manager, who will inform the Department Head and all departmental users if required.
    • The Equipment Maintenance Committee will make all decisions regarding significant replacement, repairing and upgrading of the microscopes.

    Penalty

    • Violation of the rules will result in immediate suspension of equipment usage.