To help us maintain the Flow Cytometry Resource Center at its optimum, we ask that you read and follow these guidelines and be considerate of other users. If you have questions or requests, need advice on procedures or have any suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact FCRC staff at any time.

A. RESOURCE AVAILABILITY.
	1. "Left" FACS Vantage SE Cell Sorter.
		a)	The instrument and operators are available for sorts Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm. Hours for sorting on the FACS Vantage SE can now be extended till 7:30 pm. Please be sure that you book enough time for the after-hour sort. After-hour sort time should be booked in advance. We cannot guarantee extended hours without advance booking.
		b)	The sorts are scheduled on a first-booked-first-served basis. To schedule a sort, please contact the FCRC Manager. (Online booking is available on the FCRC web site for review only.)
		c)	Prior to the first sort of a new protocol, please arrange an appointment with the FCRC Manager to discuss the details of the sort and complete the Sort Request Form. For subsequent sorts from the same protocol, you may simply call the FCRC at ext. 7656 to book the time for the sort.
		d)	All the sorts are performed by FCRC operators only.
	2. FACSort, FACS Calibur and BD LSR Cell Analyzers.
		a)	The Analyzers are available 24/7 except during maintenance periods (see Section B. Weekly Maintenance below.)
		b)	The experiments are scheduled on a first-booked-first-served basis. If no one has signed up for the instrument in advance, you may use it on a first-come-first-served basis.
		c)	Online booking, up to two weeks in advance, is available for FACSort, FACS Calibur and BD LSR. You may schedule in 30-minute increments and generally should not book more than 2 hours at a time during the high demand period (weekdays: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm). If your procedure requires more than 2 hours, please sign-up for non-peak hours (when there is no maximum time restriction) or contact the FCRC Manager in person.
		d)	The BD LSR Cell Analyzer is designated principally for samples containing UV fluorochromes (DAPI, Hoechst, etc). Please make an appointment with the FCRC manager for orientation training on the BD LSR prior to the first time you use it. If BD LSR is not booked for the experiments, using UV fluorochromes, after the orientation training on the BD LSR please fill free to book time and use it for the non-UV experiments.
		e)	During the acquisition, the data files should be saved in the temporary folder on the desktop of the computer attached to the instrument. After the completion of the experiment, all the files should be moved to ZIP/JAZ/CD media or to other computer systems available via Ethernet. Please be aware that all data files are regularly erased from FCRC FACSort, FACS Calibur and BD LSR computers to ensure the smooth collection of new data. No notice will be given prior to the regularly scheduled computer maintenance and data purge.
		f)	Temporary data storage is allowed on the FCRC Data machine within the Shared Data folder. Please place all your data files in the subfolder named in the following format YOUR NAME_EXTENSION_LAB (e.g. Svetlana_7656_FCRC).
		g)	All the experiments are performed by researchers themselves unless FCRC personnel assistance is requested. To get an appropriate assistance from FCRC staff please be sure to schedule it in advance. For FCRC staff assistance during the non-sorting experiments extra fee on the top of fees for the instrument usage will be charged (Charges will apply starting from 15 minute time interval).
	3. MAC computers FCRC Data, FCRC Analysis 1 and FCRC Analysis 2 (other then these attached to the instruments above).
		a)	The computers are available 24/7 except during maintenance periods (see Section B. Weekly Maintenance below).
		b)	Access to the computers is on a first-come-first-served basis.
		c)	The computers run the CellQuest program and are dedicated to flow cytometry data analysis only.
		d)	No data can be stored on the FCRC Analysis 1 and FCRC Analysis 2 machines. Please store all your data on removable ZIP/JAZ/CD media or on other computer systems available via Ethernet. Please be aware that all data files are regularly erased from FCRC Analysis 1 and FCRC Analysis 2 computers. No notice will be given prior to the regularly scheduled computer maintenance and data purge.
		e)	Temporary data storage is allowed on the FCRC Data machine within the Shared Data folder. Please place all your data files in the subfolder named in the following format YOUR NAME_EXTENSION_LAB (e.g. Svetlana_7656_FCRC).
		f)	To get an appropriate assistance from FCRC staff at the step of analysis please be sure to schedule it in advance. For FCRC staff assistance during the non-sorting experiments fees will be charged (Charges will apply starting from 15 minute time interval).
	4. "Right" Vantage SE Cell Sorter.
		a)	Use of this Sorter is principally for Immunology Group experiments. The sorter is operated by Klara Velinzon (#7654, velinzk@rockefeller.edu) who is a member of Dr. Nussenzweig's lab.
		b)	Researchers from the Laboratories of Dr. Dhodaphar, Dr. Nussenzweig, Dr. Papavasiliou, Dr. Ravetch, Dr. Steinman and Dr. Tarakhovsky may contact Klara Velinzon directly to schedule sorts on this instrument.
		c)	There is no hourly fee for the sorts performed by Klara Velinzon on the "Right" Vantage SE Cell Sorter for the researchers from the Immunology Group.
		d)	For certain protocols that require use of the "Right" Vantage SE cell sorter, other RU users should discuss the protocol with the FCRC Manager and schedule the sort with Klara Velinzon. The standard hourly fee applies to use of the "right" sorter by non-Immunology Group users.
B. WEEKLY MAINTENANCE.
	1. Regular weekly maintenance is scheduled on Mondays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. No FCRC resources are available during this time.
	2. Regular weekly maintenance includes the following procedures:
		a)	Fresh preparation of all the solutions for spray and drop bottles.
		b)	The FACSComp procedure is performed on the FACSort and the FACS Calibur.
		c)	Removal and discard of all unlabeled sample tubes and racks from the desks and benches.
		d)	Purge of all illegitimate files from the computers. Temporary data storage is allowed only on the FCRC Data machine within the Shared Data folder. Please place all your data files in the subfolder named in the following format YOUR NAME_EXTENSION_LAB (e.g. Svetlana_7656_FCRC).
C. CHARGES AND CANCELLATION POLICY.
	1. To recover essential operating costs, the FCRC charges hourly fees for the sorts and use of the analyzers, use of the analyzers and FCRC staff assistance during the non-sorting experiments. Usage of the MAC computers (other then those attached to the instruments) is free of charge.
	2. Scheduled sorts on the "Left" FACS Vantage SE must be cancelled no later then 5 pm of the previous business day to avoid a cancellation fee. If the scheduled sort is not cancelled by this time, the FCRC will impose a charge for one-third of total time originally scheduled.
	3. Scheduled use of the Analyzers must be cancelled no later than two hours in advance of the scheduled start time. If the scheduled use of the analyzer is not cancelled by this time, the FCRC will impose a charge for one-third of the original amount of time scheduled.
D. LOGIN SYSTEM.
	1. The login system for all the FCRC MAC Computers and Instruments is based on the FileGuard program.
	2. To obtain a FileGuard login ID, go through the registration page on the FCRC web site. Please be aware that you will be required to provide a valid RU e-mail login and a valid account number. For the account numbers starting with "5," the account expiration date is also required.
	3. Monday of next week you will be issued on all the FCRC analyzers and computers the Login/passwords combination which enables you to use the FCRC resources. Default password of "xy123" will be set. Where "x" and "y" are first two letters of your Login (which will be the same as your RU e-mail login) . To secure your account, we recommend that you change your password on the FACSort (FCRC Master Computer) at your earliest convenience.
	4. Charges are calculated based on logged computer time, using the FileGuard "login/logout" report. Please use your own login ID only and log off at the earliest convenience to avoid extra charges.
E. OPERATION PROCEDURES.
	1. The FACSFlow solution is the only one permitted as the SHEATH solution on all the analyzers. For daily use, a container of FACSFlow solution is located by the sink. The FACSFlow supply is stored under the printer desk.
	2. Notes and tips for the analyzers usage are posted next to the instruments. They also can be found at the Tips section on the FCRC web site together with the tips for the cell sorter sample preparation and computer usage.
F. TRAINING, CONSULTATION, DISCUSSION AND TROUBLESHOOTING.
	1. Weekly training sessions are scheduled regularly on Fridays. The subjects reviewed at the training sessions vary depending on the background, needs and interests of the investigators. Training sessions are scheduled on a first-booked-first-served basis. To schedule a training session, please contact the FCRC Manager.
	2. For consultation, discussion and troubleshooting, feel free to contact the FCRC Manager during regular working hours or 24/7 via e-mail.
G. THE FACILITY.
	1. The FCRC is located in room 202A of the Detlev W. Bronk Building (DWB 202A).
	2. The FCRC door is unlocked from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday. During weekends and off hours, access to the facility is limited to those with authorized University ID cards. You may have your ID card programmed for access by contacting the Security office. For safety purposes, please do not prop open the door to the FCRC.