Getting Started, Logistics, and Policies

We are looking forward to working with you!

Columbia University researchers, please follow the steps below to get started using our services. Non-Columbia University users should refer to our External Users page for more information on getting started.

For Columbia University researchers:

1. Schedule an Orientation Session. All new users are required to attend a 1-hour orientation session. The orientation session serves as an overview of the core facility, including details of the instrumentation, our training program, policies, and ways to get help. Click the button below to scheudle an orientation session.
   Schedule an Orientation Session

    

2. Request access in iLab. New users will be granted access to the iLab scheduling system once they have attended an orientation session. Note that users who wish to utilize the cell sorters with assistance can begin doing so once they have been granted access to iLab. Users who wish to utilize the instruments independently must complete instrument training (see below).
   Go to iLab

    

3. Access SharePoint (Medical Center users only). The core facility maintains a comprehensive SharePoint site, which is utilized for data transfer and storage and distribution of documents, training materials, and other resources. Users will be granted access to SharePoint once they attend an orientation session. 
4. Schedule a training session (for users who wish to operate the instrument independently). Training sessions are requested through iLab, and more information can be found on our Training and Education page.
5. Request room access. The core facility spaces (VP&S 11511 and 11501) are secured via keycard access after hours. Independent users must submit a Room Access Request in iLab in order to gain access to the spaces for after-hour utilization.
   Request Room Access

    

Services offered by CSCI Flow Cytometry are available to the entire Columbia University across all campuses as well as to external users.

The core facility permits both independent and assisted (cell sorters and imaging cytometers only) access to the instrumentation. Users who are fully trained have unrestricted (24/7) access to the facility and instrumentation.

Independent Usage

Key Points:

• Users who wish to operate the instruments independently must participate in CSCI Flow Cytometry's comprehensive hands-on training program.
• Independent users are expected to comply with all policies and procedures that have been established to ensure that instruments are maintained properly and downtime due to damage or neglect is minimized. We ask that users maintain a healthy attitude of respect towards the instrumentation and other users in the facility.
• CSCI Flow Cytometry reserves the right to revoke access of users whose lack of regard for the instrumentation and failure to adhere to standard operating procedures.
• Users who have been trained at other institutions must either attend refresher training or demonstrate skill level through an assessment.

Availability for Independent Usage:

• Instruments are set up for users during staffed hours - Monday-Friday, 9AM-6PM.
• Users who wish to use the instrument before 9AM on weekdays, on weekends, or on other unstaffed days are expected to startup and QC the instrument independently.
• The startup and QC processes are covered during instrument training, so users should feel comfortable performing these critical steps independently.
• Additionally, all independent users are also responsible for cleaning and shutting down the instruments.

Assisted Usage

Researchers are encouraged to take advantage of the option to operate the instruments independently whenever possible. However, the core facility offers assistance operating the instrument for users whose needs do not require extensive access to the cytometers. Assisted use sessions do not require any training.

IMPORTANT: Assisted usage is available for the the cell sorters and ImageStream only. It is not available for the cell analyzers, including the NovoCyte.

Please note the following points about assisted usage:

• Assisted use sessions are available only during staffed hours - Monday-Friday, 9AM-6PM.
• Users who wish to utilize the instruments with assistance are required to work closely with the core facility staff to plan, set up, and execute their experiments.
• Users are responsible for bringing to their sessions all required controls, tubes, filters, buffers and any other component required for experimental success. Extensive documentation to help you plan your sort can be found on our SharePoint site. 

   

Billing is performed on a monthly basis through iLab. Invoices are automatically generated by iLab and sent to the lab-designated contact (PI or financial manager). Lab contacts are designtated by the Principal Investigator.

Further details can be found below.

Columbia Labs (internal)

• For Columbia University labs, no action needs to be taken to process an invoice. Payment will be debited directly from the chartstring chosen by the user when the booking or service was created in iLab. Please contact the core facility if an incorrect chartstring was billed.

Non-Columbia labs, including NYSPI and Barnard College

• An invoice will be generated by iLab and sent to the lab-designated contact (PI or financial manager).
• Payment is not automatic and needs to be processed by check, wire transfer, or credit card. The payment method is chosen by the user at the time that the booking is created in iLab.

CSCI Member and Affiliate labs will be charged a cancellation fee if they cancel within 4 hours of their start time.

Non-CSCI labs will be charged a cancellation fee cancel within 24 hours of their start time.

The core facility provides comprehensive data transfer solutions for users at no additional cost.

• SharePoint (Medical Center users only) is used as both a data transfer tool and a repository for documentation, protocols and knowledge.
• For non-Medical Center Columbia University and external users, Box.com, a CUIT-compliant could platform, has been established for data transfer. Users must create a free Box.com account, and the core facility will share a user-specific folder with them that can be used to transfer their data from the cytometer computers.

Please note the following critical points about data management, storage, and transfer in the CSCI Flow Cytometry Core Facility:

• The core facilty provided solutions are meant to be temporary data storage for transfer from the instrument computer to users' own computers for analysis.
• A folder is set up for each lab and can be accessed remotely.
• CSCI Flow Cytometry staff will provide each user with access to this folder once the user has gained access to the facility and completed required training.
• Data will never be deleted from the cytometer computers without ample notice from the core facility.
• Users are responsible for long-term storage of their data.
• While we make all efforts to back up cytometer data, we ultimately cannot be held responsible for data lost due to computer malfunction.