Equipment Access and Care
- Ohio State researchers have primary access; external users accommodated as time permits
- Independent use requires CMIF staff training and approval
- Report equipment issues immediately to cmif@osu.edu
- Users must NOT attempt repairs or modify standard settings unless first consulting with CMIF staff
- Clean and restore equipment to standard configuration after use
- PIs may be billed for user-caused damage
Payment and Billing
- Billing in FOM is hourly.
- First hour: always charged as full hour regardless of time used
- Second hour and onward: charged in half-hour increments depending on log-off time in FOM. If a user finishes early but does not log-off, the full hour will be charged.
- Daily Charge: A user will not be charged more than 8 hours within a 24-hour period if performing continuous imaging.
- Requires active FOM profile
- If you are internal to OSU, you must have an approved and active Workday requisition. Without which, access to the facility will be denied. Workday requisitions can only be linked to one user FOM account - the 'requester' in Workday.
- Appointments where Manager Assistance is checked may incur staff time plus equipment fees.
- During imaging sessions, users are encouraged ask staff for help with microscope or image collection problems at no cost.
- Consultation meetings, including experimental design and troubleshooting questions are provided at no cost.
Training Requirements
- Mandatory two-session training for all new users:
- Session 1 - basic operation with practice samples
- Session 2 - guided imaging with user's samples
- One-on-one instruction with CMIF staff
- Proficiency level determines training duration
Scheduling Guidelines
- Peak hours (weekdays 9am-5pm): 3-hour maximum per session, 15 hours per week
- After-hours access requires 10+ successful independent sessions and a meeting with a staff member to review troubleshooting guidelines should problems occur
- 24-hour cancellation notice required
- Unscheduled use results in PI notification and possible access restriction
Safety and Sample Handling
- No BSL-3/4 agents or radioactive materials
- Room 245: BSL-1 only, fixed samples
- Rooms BRT 264/268, PRC 0022: BSL-2 approved, requires:
- BSL-2 Space Use Form
- Safety and Bloodborne Pathogen training
- Approved IBC protocol
- Proper biohazard containment for transport
- Lab coats and proper PPE
- Report any BSL-2 pathogens to be used to CMIF staff prior to your appointment. This can be done by checking the BSL-2 pathogen box in FOM and stating which pathogen will be used in the Usage Comments section.
- TEM/SEM sample processing by appointment
- No food/drink allowed
Data Management
- Data storage on CMIF instruments is guaranteed for 24 hours, after which users are responsible for data storage
- Save to designated PI folders only
- No external programs/files on CMIF computers
- Use workstation computers for data transfer; no USB devices on microscope computers
Publication Requirements
Investigators are requested to recognize the role of the CMIF in producing data for publication in the acknowledgment section of their manuscript. This will enable us to demonstrate our importance to the university’s research programs and help obtain additional equipment and funding critical for meeting our user’s needs. We ask that the authors submit a copy of the bibliographic reference or a PDF of the publication for our records.
“Images presented in this manuscript were generated using the instruments and services at the Campus Microscopy and Imaging Facility, The Ohio State University (RRID:SCR_025078). This facility is supported in part by grant P30 CA016058, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.”
Co-authorship is appreciated and may be requested in the following instances: significant intellectual contribution to experimental design, extensive analysis and/or interpretation of data and preparation of data for the purpose of publication. Authorship agreements will be made prior to the study's commencement, and no staff member should be included as an author without the chance to review the manuscript before publication.