Checklist for introducing new users to the Imaging Platform @ DZNE

Registration

• If you are interested in using our facility please contact silke.white(a)dzne.de and ask for an introduction
• In your email please describe your imaging project, what kind of samples you will have, which stainings and which information you want to acquire by imaging
  • For this project description you can orient yourself on the New user project questions.

Booking Rules And Responsibilities

• Delete and Cancel: the biotec-24h rule.
• The biotec-SIFFY 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?
• Consequences for failing to switch off a system: extended booking
• AND: "END OF SESSION" means: data saved, sample removed, objectives cleaned, software closed ... system is free for the next user!!!

mailing lists

Two mailing lists have been created to inform the registered users of the situation and events of the Michroscopy Techpool :

• all users ALL
• confocal users CONFOCAL

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 and z-stack (maybe time series if necessary,it might sometimes not be possible to cover all of that in the 1st intro).
• Data handling: explain about original file formats and metadata; advantages/disadvantages of storing data on either hard drive or fileserver
• Data safety: Point out that the Imaging facility holds no responsibility for data whatsoever!

Important: in order to keep the disk free for imaging - data stored on hard drives will be deleted on an irregular basis.

• 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
• Introduce user to things that couldn't be covered in the first session
• Help user to set up the system for their own imaging experiment.
• Stay with user until he/she feels save to use the system independently.
• Invite user to contact the imaging team about questions / problems / changes in their imaging projects at any time.