Bio-Imaging Facility

General Policies:

1. Reservation and Training is required before using any instrument. Contact facility directors (cr022@uark.edu; fgoggin@uark.edu) for information on training.
2. Epifluorescent microscopes and fluorescent stereoscope can be used free of charge. The current rate to use the Leica Stellaris Confocal microscope is $50/h.
3. Users are responsible for providing their own materials for imaging.
4. Users are responsible for following standard operating procedures while operating the microscope or communicating with facility staff if new procedures need to be implemented.

Policies for using the Leica Stellaris Confocal Microscope:

1. All users need to fill out an agreement form signed by the principal investigator and providing worktags for billing. Current rate is $50/h. Damage to the microscope due to improper use will be billed to the principal investigator.
2. All principal investigators seeking to use the microscope are encouraged to include instrument usage fees in grant submissions.
3. Users are responsible for following standard operating procedures while operating the microscope or communicating with facility staff if new procedures need to be implemented.
4. Users are responsible for cleaning. Immersion objectives must be wiped clean with optical lens paper only. Do not use nail polish to attach coverslip to glass slide.
5. Users agree to immediately report problems with the instrument to the managing staff.
6. Users will acknowledge NIFA-EGP in published work. Please include the following exact statement in any work using the Leica Stellaris Confocal Microscope: “This work is/was supported by the Equipment Grants Program, award #2021-05017, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.”
7. Users are required to back up their data in BOX. Do not use external USB drives; these represent a risk for viruses. Any data left on the computer may be deleted.

Policy on Reservations:

1. Make reservations on the website for training or instrument usage.
2. Maximum of 3h session per day per individual. Please contact the managing staff if you need more time.
3. Users will be charged for usage.
4. An hour charge will be applied for arriving late to the scheduled time and for no shows.
5. All cancelations must be made 24 h prior to the scheduled time. Failure to cancel in time will result in the PI being billed for the entire scheduled time.