User Policy

This policy applies to instruments and services provided by the Advanced Imaging Core Facility at Turku Bioscience Centre. Every user must read and follow the practices outlined below.

Publications and acknowledgements

• If you use our instruments, it is compulsory to acknowledge the Advanced Imaging Core Facility and our funding sources in your publications.

Example:

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.

• Once published, please report your publication here.

General instrument usage rules

• No eating or drinking is allowed in the facility.
• Users should fill in the instrument log found near each instrument.
• Outdoor clothing is forbidden in instrument areas. External users may leave outdoor clothing in the AIC office.
• Users must keep workspaces and equipment clean, as outlined in the guides located beside each instrument.
• Users may not disassemble or physically modify instruments, including objectives. Contact staff in advance if a customised solution is needed.
• Contact staff immediately if there is an instrument malfunction or if you need help optimising configurations.
• It is forbidden to look directly into a light beam.

Access, training & contact

• Staff availability: weekdays 9–15
• Office: BioCity, 5th floor, room 5077

Microscopy contact

Obligatory introductory training (minimum 1 hour, 35 €/h) is required before instrument use. Users must read the instrument user guide prior to training (available on the AIC web pages). A questionnaire in OpenIRIS must be completed in advance to allow staff to tailor the training.

A preliminary project consultation with staff is recommended. Staff reserve the right to require additional training or revoke instrument access if the user policy is not followed.

Reservations and cancellations

1. Instrument use without a reservation is forbidden.
2. Reservations are made via OpenIRIS (https://utu.openiris.io or https://openiris.io).
3. Cancellation times are instrument-specific and listed in OpenIRIS. Late cancellations will be charged. Users must inform staff if unable to cancel in time.
4. Microscope reservations have a minimum duration of 1 hour and a maximum of 4 hours during peak times (9–17, Mon–Fri). Contact staff for alternative arrangements.
5. Users must check for upcoming reservations and follow instrument-specific shutdown or standby procedures.

Biosafety

1. Imaging facilities operate at BSL1. Samples requiring BSL2 cannot be analyzed on microscopes.
2. If unsure about biosafety classification, refer to Gene Technology Board of Finland guidelines. For further questions regarding GMO classification in Finland, contact gtlk.stm@stm.fi.
3. Staff may request to see an approved GMO risk assessment approved by the GTLK.
4. For live human samples collected after 1/1/2020, users must wear FPP2/3 masks and safety goggles/visor and follow instrument-specific restrictions.
5. Users must inform staff whether human samples have been tested for HIV or hepatitis.

Billing

1. Instruments are charged per hour according to academic pricing. External and industrial users are invoiced separately.
2. Misuse of reservations or failure to follow shutdown procedures may result in extra charges. Instruments left on over weekends may incur significant fees, and PIs will be informed.
3. Staff charge contact hours and preparation time for workshops, lectures, and demos.

Data storage and handling

1. Users are responsible for saving and removing their data after use.
2. Files older than 30 days are automatically deleted from instrument computers without notice and cannot be recovered. Contact staff for data storage options.