Getting started

All users must show competence and responsibility in the use of the relevant CBIA Core instruments. For this reason, training is mandatory for all users. Training sessions must be requested prior to anticipated use and must be administered by CBIA personnel.

Training

In order to start the training process we require the following steps to be completed:

1. Read and understand the policies governing the use of CBIA core facility (direct link)
2. Have your samples and be ready to image within a week after your training. Only the samples brought by the trainee will be used for the training session, to help the user getting imaging data with the proper settings right away.
3. Create an account on Infinity site(https://secure17.ideaelan.com/uOttawa/Public/).
   1. Add CBIA to your facility list if you already has an infinity account for uOttawa service/equipment.
4. Submit a training request form on the Infinity website, under "Request Services". Please note this will require you to provide us with all of your experimental details and imminent microscopy plans. If you are working under a senior trainee it may be helpful to have them nearby when completing the form. Be aware that the approval from your Supervisor(PI) might be required.
5. Upon reception of your training request, a member of the CBIA core staff member will get in contact with you. The training will happen in 3 phases: 
   • i-Self-paced learning with Microtutor, watching pre-recorded onboarding videos and answer a quiz. 
   • ii-Then the hands-on with one of the CBIA microscopy specialist will be planed. 
   • iii-You will attend a presentation on digital imaging course (covering what is an image, how to make a scientifically correct figure and how to report your data in your material and methods).

For the standard training process described above, only one training fee will be applied. A maximum of 2 lab-members may be trained per session. Training received from previous users is prohibited, and does not qualify a new user for independent access to the systems. To help you write your Material and Methods section, please refer to this check-list. See the full publication here.

Access

It is up to CBIA personnel to decide whether the user has demonstrated a thorough familiarity with the instrument to be granted unsupervised access.

Users can schedule a reservation online on the Infinity scheduler website, only for microscopes they have been trained on. For more information about Infinity in our core facility.

Microscope rooms have restricted access. Access codes are provided during the training. 

To request access to our confocal microscopy room, fill this form and send it to [email protected]

If you plan to access microscopes outside of the working hours, please email the [email protected] ahead of time to make sure you have all the necessary access codes.

We encourage you to think ahead about the following questions to help collect proper data from imaging. Read this article on the unique approach to guides the design of quantitative fluorescence microscopy experiments.

• What is the scientific question you want to answer?
• Where is your signal located in the cells?
• What controls are needed to distinguish a meaningful experimental result?
• What is the resolution you need?
• How many dimensions? (x, y, z, t, multi-color)
• Do you need to fix your samples or use live specimen?
• How many fluorophores do I have to image?
• If live imaging required, what are you expecting in terms of movements? For how long will you need to image? At what frame rate? Do you need environmental control?
• While considering which dye or fluorescent probes to use, or how to prepare your samples check out Spectral Database resources in the useful links section of our website.
• If you are not sure contact us to check the compatibility of your experimental design and needs with the equipment offered by the CBIA Core.

Most objectives in the CBIA core facility are corrected to work with #1.5 coverslips, 0.17mm thick, please check that this is what your lab has in stock before starting any experiments.

In general, a subset of objectives have correction collars which allow for an adjustable long working distance. Some objectives without correcting collars are built with a long working distance (LD Objectives for instance), if you require use of these objectives, for example to image through plastic culture dishes or customized device, please contact CBIA Core staff and provide the details.