User Policy

      This policy ensures a safe, productive, and fair environment for all researchers at the Advanced Imaging Core. Access to the facility is conditional upon adherence to these guidelines.

      1. Publications & Acknowledgements

      The existence of this facility depends on proper reporting. If you use our instruments, you must acknowledge the AIC and our funding sources in all resulting publications.

      Copy-Paste Text for Methods/Acknowledgements:

      “Imaging was performed at the Advanced Imaging Core Facility at Turku Bioscience Centre, supported by Biocentre Finland, the Finnish Advanced Microscopy Node of Euro-BioImaging Finland (Turku, Finland), and Turku Bioimaging. This work was supported by the Research Council of Finland, FIRI 2023 grant decision numbers 359073 and 358879, and FIRI 2024 grant decision numbers 367582 and 367577.”

      Action: Report your publication here once accepted.

      2. Biosafety & Human Samples

      Facility Status: BSL-1

      • BSL-2 Samples: Strictly forbidden on standard microscopes. If you have BSL-2 needs, contact staff immediately for specific protocols.
      • GMOs: You must follow the Gene Technology Board (GTLK) guidelines. Staff reserve the right to verify your GMO risk assessment.
      • Human Samples:
        • You must inform staff of the HIV/Hepatitis status of any human samples.
        • Live samples (collected after 1/1/2020): Requires mandatory FFP2/3 masks and safety goggles/visors.

      3. Data Management (30-Day Rule)

      ⚠ Important: No Long-Term Storage

      Files older than 30 days are automatically deleted from acquisition computers to maintain performance. These files cannot be recovered.

      Responsibility: Users must transfer data to their own storage immediately after their session.

      4. General Rules & Conduct

      • No Food/Drink: Strictly prohibited in instrument rooms.
      • Clothing: No outdoor coats/jackets in instrument rooms (leave them in the AIC office).
      • Modifications: Do not disassemble or modify instruments (e.g., removing objectives). Contact staff for custom setups.
      • Cleaning: Leave the microscope clean. Follow the specific cleaning guide located beside each instrument.
      • Logbook: Always fill in the paper logbook at the microscope.
      • Lasers: Never look directly into a light beam or laser path.

      5. Access, Training & Reservations

      Access & Training

      • Training is mandatory: You cannot use an instrument without passing the introductory training (min. 1 hour, charged at €35/h).
      • Before Training:
        1. Create an OpenIRIS account.
        2. Fill in the pre-training questionnaire.
        3. Read the specific Instrument User Guide (available on our website).
      • We recommend a project consultation meeting before booking training.

      Reservations (OpenIRIS)

      • Booking: All usage must be reserved in OpenIRIS. Using instruments without a reservation is forbidden.
      • Peak Hours (9:00–17:00, Mon-Fri):
        • Minimum slot: 1 hour.
        • Maximum slot: 4 hours (contact staff if you need longer experiments).
      • Cancellations: Check the specific cancellation deadline for your instrument in OpenIRIS.
        Late cancellations or “no-shows” will be billed.
      • Check Status: Always check for the next user’s reservation. If someone is booked immediately after you, leave the system on standby (consult instrument guide). If not, shut down.

      Billing

      • Usage is billed per hour (Academic pricing).
      • Failures to follow shutdown procedures (e.g., leaving lasers on over the weekend) will result in significant surcharge fees. PIs will be notified of negligence.

      Contact & Support

      Staff Availability: Weekdays 9:00 – 15:00
      Office: BioCity, 5th Floor, Room 5077

      Help & Malfunctions: Contact us immediately if an instrument malfunctions. Do not attempt to fix it yourself.

      microscopy@bioscience.fi | +358 (0)50 369 7532

      Last updated on January 27, 2026