For requesting our Trainings: unfold the menu below, and fill out the request form (ISTA members only – log in required)
Information: Description of IOF System Levels
IOF machine-park exists of different imaging technologies and applications, which also come with different levels of complexity. To clarify the complexity of the different systems, we indicate the level of complexity – and the default required training effort – in the following manner:
• Level 0: only requires ‘introduction to Imaging & Optics Facility’ (Stereo; Analysis Workstations, etc)
• Level 1: requires 2 × training → standard Widefield and Confocal applications
• Level 2: requires 2 × training + 1 assisted session / additional training required → Spinning Disk, Multi Modal, Advanced Applications & Assays (FLIM, UV ablation, pipette aspiration, …)
• Level 3: requires 2 × trainings + Assisted Sessions + System configuration by IOF staff* → AFM / Light-sheet* / Multi-photon*
GETTING STARTED:
Information: How to start using the Imaging & Optics Facility services
To use our services, the following steps are needed: Internal users and short term visitors: please follow instructions described here: Getting Started page. External customers need to establish a cooperation contract with ISTA before services from the Imaging & Optics Facility at ISTA can be used.
→ Getting started ←
USER TRAINING POLICY
Training, as a rule, consists of two parts:
The 1st introduction is a basic training where we allow up to 1 person at the same time. When you request it, you will need to prepare for your intro according to the technique you want to use. You can find links to the reading materials that will introduce you to the basics of the system that we offer below on this page. Please do not be surprised, if during the training we will ask you some questions based on these links.
The 2nd part of the training must happen within maximum period of two weeks after the first part, for only 1 person at a time. You will need to provide your own sample and you will be asked to operate the instrument in our presence. We will help you to set up your imaging experiment and can discuss your image post-processing workflow.
During the 2nd training: we will evaluate to what extend you are able to operate the instrument. We will give you permissions to book this instrument on your own in case we feel you can work with the microscope safely and independently. Only after both training sessions are successfully completed will we grant you permission to book instruments on your own.
Usage Rights: Novice, Autonomous, User rights expiration
Novice rights: systems can be used between 8:00 and 20:00 h during weekdays. Novice rights are provided to new users upon successful completion of a training.
Autonomous rights: systems can be used independently at any time (24/7). A total of five independent sessions without significant issues or warnings/penalty points during the novice rights period need to be completed before we promote usage rights to autonomous.
Please understand that if we have the feeling that you are not very secure with the instrument, we might ask you to repeat the training session, or prolong the novice right period.
Usage rights expiration: after prolonged ‘no use’ (9 months – 1 year): a refresher training will be required to regain user rights.
VISITORS and GUESTS:
We can introduce external guests, visiting scientists & interns (and rotations) for 2 systems max (minimal required stay = 2 months). Please inform us at least 2 weeks in advance, so we can organize your training timely. You will need to provide a cost account with approval from your PI and the name of one group member of the visiting lab, who will be your internal contact person.
Additionally, for the following groups of devices, materials listed below have to be reviewed and understood:
