Advanced Imaging Core (AIC) Policies

Data Storage

• The AIC is not responsible for the storage of any reaw or processed data/images. To preserve space on our server, files may be deleted at any time. While the core will endeavor to inform users before purging data, it is expected that users will transfer images to a separate drive immediately after acquisition and/or processing.
• Each image file is very large (several GBs). Users must bring with them either a large flash storage drive or an external hard drive. Long-term data storage can be arranged for a service fee in the Molecular Bioinformatics (mBIO) core.

Calendar Reservations/Scheduling

• Scheduling consultations or service requests, and billing for services are handled through the AIC's iLab page. Therefore, all users must gave an iLab acoount. 
  • https://www.uthsc.edu/research/institutional-cores/ilab.php
• No lab may book more than 5 hours per day, or 15 hours per week, during regular core operating hours (M-F from 10am to 6pm). However, on the day of use, your session may be extended beyond the 5-hour limit if the microscope is not already schedued by another user.
• Users may cancel a confirmed reservation up to 12 hours in advance without incurring a cancellation fee. Canceling betweeen 1-12 hours prior to your scheduled time will result in a charge equivalent to 25% of the reserved time. 
• Users are expected to be prompt. If you expect to arrive late to your scheduled time, please let Dr. Escue know that you will be late, however the lab will still be charged for the time reserved. "No shows" will also be charged for the full reservation time. Please note that repeatedly missing scheduled reservations or consultation appoinments could result in a suspension of user privileges at the discretion of the core manager in consultation with the AIC internal advisory board (IAB). 

Training

• Each individual user must be trained directly by the core manager. There should be no cross-training of individuals within the same laboratory. Violation of training procedures could result in a suspension of user privileges at the discretion of the core manager in consultation with the AIC internal advisory board (IAB).
• Training will include a minimum charge of 4 hours imaging time at the published “core-assisted” rate.

Covid-19 Precautions

• No more than two people may be in the microscopy suite, including the core manager.
• All users must wear 3-layered or N95 masks at all times within the core space, ESPECIALLY when using the eyepiece of the microscope.

Safety Lab Practices

• It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that all lab members and core users are compliant with all basic chemical and laboratory and biosafety training. PIs assume responsibility for the conduct and actions of their lab members using the AIC.
• No food or drink is allowed in the core space.
• You must remove gloves before touching knobs, keyboards, or other common items.

Infectious materials/pathogens

• Requests to use any hazardous material that may be biological hazard and/or chemical hazard must be noted in iLab, and communicated directly to the AIC manager for review and pre-approval before samples are brought to the core space. Active IBC and IACUC protocol information should be noted in iLab at the time of a service request. At the request of the director, these protocols should be provided. 
  • For specimens containing potential pathogens:
  • All specimens derived from human sources are considered BSL2.
  • All sample preparation and manipulation must take place in the user’s lab. For live samples, dishes must be sealed with parafilm and transported to the core space in a closed secondary container.
  • All waste must be disposed of outside of the core laboratory. There are no red biohazard bags within the core space.
  • Radioactive material, or samples classified as BSL-3 or BSL-4 cannot be handled under any circumstances in the AIC.

Acknowledgments of core use in publications:

• It is expected that all users will follow the published UTHSC guidelines when acknowledging the core or granting authorship to core staff in
  • https://www.uthsc.edu/research/institutional-cores/

• In the acknowledgements, please explicitly state the contributions by the core and core staff.
  • For example: “All super-resolution images and data were generated in the Advanced Imaging Core (AIC) at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center with the assistance of Dr. Rachel Escue.
  • Please inform the AIC of all publications resulting from AIC