Checklist for introducing new users to the MPI-CBG Light Microscopy Facility
From BioDIP
Contents |
First Contact
- Send user link to New user project questions. Ask the user to send all relevant answers to lmf(at)mpi-cbg.de (Ideally get answers emailed before the first face to face meeting. It might not make sense for every user to answer every single question).
- Arrange a personal meeting with the new user and one or more members of the lmf team: discussion about imaging project and agreement on the most suitable system(s) using info from new user questions.
- Point out main contact details: lmf(at)mpi-cbg.de or lmf-helpline phone 210-2345.
- Avoid situations where a new user books a system at short notice and expects to get an introduction all done in 1 or 2 hours with no prior meeting/discussion about their project.
Administration (no system time needed)
Estimated time: about 30 minutes
Booking Database
- General structure of database.
- Booking budgets, costs.
- How to book systems and assistance (combined and separately).
- How do blockings work. When and why might we ask them to give up their slot. Make them be aware and respect the student's system checks!
- How to use the "Report" function.
Booking Rules And Responsibilities
- Delete and Cancel: the 24h rule.
- The SIFFY (slot is free for you) procedure: how to offer and take a free slot.
- At the end of each session, check booking database: last user / not the last user --> what are the responsibilities?
- "Punishment" for having the system wrongly left on: extended booking + 15/30min assistant time
- AND: "END OF SESSION" means: data saved, sample removed, objectives cleaned, software closed ... system is free for the next user!!!
Theoretical Background (might be possible without system time)
- Background to the techniques that will be used with the system, eg. contrasting techniques, fluorescence, beampath, pinhole, detector etc.
On The System
First Introduction
Usually WITHOUT own sample!!!
Estimated time: system dependent, but usually around 2hours
- Introduction to hardware: how to switch on/off.
- Introduction to software: how to properly acquire an image, z-stack, time series.
- Data handling: explain about original file formats and metadata; advantages/disadvantages of storing data on either hard drive or fileserver, point out that we hold no responsibility for data stored on hard drive.
- Safety regulations: laser safety, S1 safety, correct use of wastebins.
- How to clean objectives.
Follow Up Introduction
With own sample!!!
Estimated time: strongly project dependent, but 1-2 hours are usually a good estimate
- Recap contents of first intro.
- Help user to set up the system for their own imaging experiment.
- Stay with user until he/she feels save to use the system independent.
- Invite user to contact the lmf team questions / problems / changes in their imaging projects.