Usage Guidelines

Rules for the Use of Fluorescence Microscopes

The microscopy unit includes nine Fluorescence Microscopy systems, with the possibility of performing imaging measurements in brightfield and widefield, among others.

Those that include the LAS X software (Leica 0.3 and Thunder) also allow for image processing.

1. Bookings. Equipment must be booked in advance through the intranet reservation system under the “Fluorescence Microscopy” section.

2. Sessions. Session duration is not limited. In particular, use of the Thunder microscope requires prior training before beginning to use the instrument.

3. Presence of technical staff. Equipment use is generally independent, but users may request assistance from the unit’s technician whenever necessary. Before starting to work with any system, users must complete specific training with the unit’s technicians.

4. Cost and billing.Equipment use is free of charge. Session duration is not limited. In particular, use of the

5. Data. Due to the large data volume generated, the unit does not provide experiment backups. Each user is responsible for retrieving and storing their data after completion. Data stored on the system hard drives will be periodically deleted, with prior notice to users.

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Rules for the Use of the Nikon 2.5 Microscope

The microscopy unit includes a Fluorescence Microscopy system with the possibility of performing in vivo and widefield imaging, among others.

This system is specially designed for in vivo measurements, though it can also be used for other purposes.

1. Bookings. Equipment must be booked in advance through the Microscopy Unit technicians.

2. Sessions. Session duration is not limited as long as experiments begin within the working hours 8:30–14:00 and 15:00–17:30. Consecutive sessions may be requested from the service technicians. In vivo experiments may use the system for up to three consecutive days, preferably from Monday to Friday, so that technicians can monitor the experiments.

3. Presence of technical staff. The microscope should preferably be used in the presence of a member of the technical team, who will handle system setup, image acquisition software, and in vivo experiment initiation, ensuring that everything is properly configured.

4. Cost and billing. Equipment use is free of charge.

5. Data. Due to the large data volume generated, the unit does not provide experiment backups. Each user is responsible for retrieving and storing their data after completion. The hard drive will be periodically cleared, with prior notice to users.

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Rules for the Use of Confocal Microscopes SP5 and SP8

The microscopy unit includes two Confocal Microscopy systems, allowing imaging, 3D measurements, co-localization, FRAP, FRET, FLIM, super-resolution STED, and tau-STED, among others.

These systems are primarily designed for confocal imaging but can perform many other techniques.

1. Bookings. Equipment must be booked in advance through the intranet under “Confocal and Cytometry.” Unit technicians will advise users on the system best suited for each experiment.

2. Sessions. There is no strict session time limit; however, technicians may impose limits depending on demand. Consecutive sessions may be requested, avoiding full-day bookings. In vivo experiments, when justified, may use the equipment for up to three consecutive days upon approva

3. Presence of technical staff. The microscope must always be used in the presence of a technician, who will handle system configuration, image acquisition, and data sharing with the user, as well as maintain a copy of the data.

4. Cost and billing. Due to the high cost of lasers and consumables, a fee of €10/hour is charged to affiliated research groups. For external users not affiliated with IBMCC-CIC, the fee is €20/hour. In vivo experiments are billed at the same hourly rate.

5. Backups. The unit performs monthly backups of experiments on external drives, which are kept for at least three years. However, each user remains responsible for retrieving and storing their own data after completion.

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Rules for the Use of the Thunder Imager 3D_TIRF

The microscopy unit includes a 3D Tissue Imager Microscope with widefield in vivo capability, evanescent illumination (TIRF), optogenetics, FRAP, ablation, super-resolution PALM/STORM, and computational clearing.

This system is primarily designed for TIRF experiments but supports multiple techniques. Usage and booking rules are similar to those of the SP5 and SP8 confocal microscopes.

1. Bookings. Equipment must be booked in advance through the unit’s technicians, who will advise users on the most appropriate system.

2. Sessions. Session duration is 2.5 hours. A user or lab cannot book consecutive sessions. In strictly necessary cases, consecutive sessions may be approved, avoiding full-day occupancy. In vivo experiments may use the equipment for up to three consecutive days upon approval.

3. Presence of technical staff. The microscope must always be used in the presence of a technician, who will handle setup and image acquisition.

4. Cost and billing. Due to the high cost of lasers and consumables, a fee of €10/hour is charged to affiliated groups and €20/hour to non-affiliated users. In vivo experiments are billed per day: €60/day with LED illumination and €90/day with laser illumination.

5. Data. Due to the large data volume generated, the unit does not provide backups. Each user is responsible for retrieving and storing their data after completion. Data on system drives will be periodically deleted with prior notice.

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Rules for the Use of the AriaIII Cell Sorter

The microscopy unit includes an Aria III Cell Sorter as part of its equipment.

1. Bookings. Equipment must be booked in advance via the intranet, under “Confocal and Cytometry” → “Aria” column.

2. Sessions. Each session has a maximum duration of two hours per user/lab. In exceptional cases, consecutive sessions may be arranged, avoiding full-day occupancy.
3. Presence of technical staff. The system must always be used in the presence of a technician, who will configure the experiment, operate the software, acquire the samples, and store the data on the center’s server.
4. Cost and billing. Only private companies requesting access will be billed for use.
5. Backups. The unit performs monthly backups of experiments on external drives, kept for at least three years. Nonetheless, users are responsible for retrieving and storing their data after completion.

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Rules for the Use of Accuri C6 and C6 Plus

1. Bookings. Equipment must be booked in advance through the intranet, under “Accuri C6.”

2. Sessions. Each session has a maximum duration of two hours per user/lab. In exceptional cases, consecutive sessions may be arranged, avoiding full-day occupancy.

3. Presence of technical staff. These systems can be used independently, but users may request assistance from the technician if needed. Before using the equipment, users must complete specific training with the unit’s technicians.

4. User instructions. A quick reference guide is available in the room, along with detailed quick-start guides. The electronic user manual is available on the computer desktop for consultation during use.

5. Cost and billing. Equipment use is free of charge.

6. Data. Given the daily usage and large amount of data generated, each user is responsible for retrieving and storing their data after acquisition. The system’s hard drives will be periodically cleared, with prior notice to users.

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