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Training

Available by appointment M-F 10am-12pm. Sign-up available through requests tab in iLabs.

 

CytoFLEX LX and Aurora Procedures

  • Only previously trained by staff researchers are allowed to operate and book the analyzers.
  • You are billed according to the time booked. Therefore, please book the time accordingly. When your time is over, either stop acquisition or book more time if needed and available. Researchers are expected to start on time and not impact other researchers. You must stop your experiment and allow the next researcher to use the instrument that was booked when your reservation is finished. Exceptions are made due to instrument downtime.
  • Discrepancies can and will be monitored and charged. If too many discrepancies are noted, it is considered a compliance failure. If left on or logged in you will be charged all the time. An analysis workstation is provided free of charge for users.
  • To get access to the calendar and be able to book time, each researcher is responsible to provide the following information: Full name (no nicknames), phone number, PI, and grant number or PO.
  • Each individual user is responsible for the proper maintenance of the analyzers. This includes, but is not limited to, filling the sheath tank, emptying the waste tank, flushing the sample lines with 10% bleach followed by dH2O, and cleaning the sample probe after each use (protocols will be included). Please leave the instruments in standby with 1ml. of dH20 for the next scheduled user.
    Please do not tilt the sheath or waste bladders on the sides as this introduces air into the system.
    DO NOT IGNORE THE WARNING ALARMS AND RUN THE SHEATH BLADDERS DRY.
  • NEVER EVER LEAVE THE MACHINE IN RUN!!!!!!!!
    You are required to perform a clean when you finish running your experiment.
  • The first scheduled appointment on any given day is responsible for properly starting up the instruments. This includes allowing for the optimal 30-minute laser warm up and proper priming of the fluidics such as a system start up.
  • The last scheduled appointment on any given day is responsible for properly shutting down the instruments. First perform a daily clean before going into stand by. This includes leaving the analyzers in standby mode, before turning off power, with 1ml of dH2O on the sample port. If there is any doubt about last scheduled appointment, then please follow the 4PM rule below:
  • The 4PM rule is as follows: if using the analyzers after 4PM and you are unsure (for any reason) if someone is using the analyzers after you, please SHUT IT DOWN after a daily clean!!!
  • Bleach, dH2O, sheath fluid, biohazard containers, paper, and trash cans are provided by the core facility. Each user is responsible for providing their own tubes, data storage materials, racks, pipettes, tips, and gloves. If you notice supplies running low, please let us know so we can replace them.
  • Each user is responsible for their data management. This means exporting and saving data properly and deleting it from the drive. Please take your data once you have finished your experiment. Any data left longer than a month will be deleted by the facility and user charged for the time.
    The core has no responsibility for lost data. Please follow proper use and collect your data the same day as use.
  • Please consider the acknowledgement of these policies as a first warning. Subsequent compliance failures will be handled as follows: First offense, meeting with the flow facility to be re-trained on proper instrument usage. Second offense, meeting with flow facility and your PI to discuss proper instrument usage. Third offense, loss of privileges.
  • BE A GOOD LAB CITIZEN.

Daily Fluidics Cleaning

After each use, clean the sample injection tube and the area between the injection tube and the outer sleeve. This prevents the injection tube from becoming clogged and removes dyes that can remain in the tubing. You are required to run a clean once your experiment is finished.

Aurora
  • The fluidics shutdown button.
  • Start with 10% bleach.
  • Water Tube when asked.
  • 30% Contrad tube when asked.
  • Water tube when asked.
  • Please leave the water tube on the instrument.
CytoFLEX LX
  • Run Daily Clean.
  • Follow Daily Clean Wizard Instructions.

Daily Shutdown

Aurora
  • The daily fluidics clean must be done before shutting down.
  • Leave a tube of water on at the end.
  • Close software.
  • Push the power button on the side of the instrument.
  • Shut down computer.
CytoFLEX LX
  • Please run a daily clean.
  • Turn off the CytoFlex and the computer if you are the last one scheduled for the day.