Services, guidelines and fees

Biocenter Flow Cytometry Unit provides flow cytometry analysis services as well as user training for new users of the instruments. Access to the flow cytometers and their reservation calenders for individual users is given after a training session. Training for new users is arranged regularly.

New users should contact the facility's personnel and discuss their experimental setup before their first reservation. When making a contact, please provide following information:

• Full name, e-mail address and phone number
• Department or research group
• Principal investigator or supervisor (name and address)
• Billing information (profit center and WBS codes).

New independent users should be acquainted to basic flow cytometry before user training. Before start all users are provided practical guidance for working in the facility. Appropriate training on the proper use of the instruments is obligatory for all new users. Contact facility personnel for further information and reservations for training.

Reservation for instruments and services is done through centralized online reservation system. For using the reservation system you first need to register as a new user. After registration you can initiate a training request. When the training is completed, you can book the instruments you wish to use.

Reservation: Remember to do reservations prior to instrument usage and possible cancellations as early as possible, cancellations minimum 3 hours before. Uncancelled reservations will be charged according to the booked time.

Instrument: The user should ensure that the instrument is ready to use with sufficient liquids and waste. Take care that all necessary start up and shut down procedures are done according to instrument guidelines. If you make any special changes to the instrument settings, change filters etc., please return the setup to the state it was when you started. Remember to fill the logbook.

Facility and data storage: In case of problems or need of help, contact personnel. Please inform the personnel if you notice any of the solutions or disposables running low in the lab. Remember to take copies of all you data (including the fcs files) and please note that the unit don't make data backups. Old data will be deleted automatically without prior notification.

Virus scanning must be done every time before attaching external memory to any instrument in the facility, there is a dedicated computer for scanning. Also, please note that all folders containing data created on analysis computers will be deleted when found due to computer memory limitations.

Acknowledgements: We kindly ask that the Biocenter Flow Cytometry Unit would be mentioned in the acknowledgements in research publications containing flow cytometry data acquired in or with support of Flow Unit. It could be like: “The flow cytometry analysis was performed at the HiLife Flow Cytometry Unit, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki.” Kindly inform the Flow cytometry unit personnel about your publication.