FAQ

Assistance Requests

- How do I get started?

As a new user, you will find userful information on how to get started on our webpage under Services and Equipment and New User.

- When and how can I ask for assistance?

  • Should you after completing the training session still not feel fully comfortable operating an instrument, please contact us by e-mail several days in advance (we have more than 300 registered users).
  • For project based enquiries, please visit us at our Open Office sessions.
  • For urgent matters, send us an e-mail.

- What should I do if I need urgent help but cannot reach the imaging staff?

  • If you have a problem with any equipment during our absence, please inform us immediately by e-mail explaining the problem as precisely as possible.

- I only have a minor question. How should I request for help?

Unless urgent, please visit us at our regular Open Office sessions.

- Can I request custom development of analysis tools?

You can to a certain extent request script generation for data analysis. Visit us at our Open Office sessions to learn more.

Registration & Booking

- Can I book a microscope more than 2 hours per day?

Yes. Currenty, there are no time limitations on our equipment.

- Can I move my booked session?

Yes, you can reschedule your online bookings. 

Rescheduling in the booking calendar is only possible up to 24 h prior to your session. If you need to reschedule/cancel with a shorter notice (should only occur e.g. due to illness or unforeseen emergencies), please send an e-mail to The Bioimaging Team as well as to the next user.

- I have many samples to analyse. How many bookings can I make in advance?

Currently, there are no limitations to how many bookings you can make in advance.

- How far in advance is it possible to book a microscope or software PC?

The system only allows bookings until 3 months in advance. However, please consider reduced staff during holiday seasons in case you need help with your analyses.

- May I use a microscope or software PC if I have used similar equipment at another facility?

All users, even experienced ones, must be trained by the Bioimaging Core Facility staff before using any equipment for the first time. Please refer to our pricelist for information about trainings.

- How do I book personal assistance?

Personal assistance cannot be booked in our online booking system. Please visit us at our Open Office sessions to discuss your needs or send us an e-mail.

Cancelling & Absences

- Is it possible to receive a notification if someone cancels a booking?

If you cancel a booking later than 24 h prior to the booked session (should only occur e.g. due to illness or unforeseen emergencies), please ensure to send an e-mail to all users of the instrument on that day as well as to the Bioimaging Core Facility Team. In all other cases, please refer to the online booking system.

- Until when can I cancel my booking?

Cancelling in the booking calendar is only possible up to 24 h prior to your session. If you need to cancel with a shorter notice, please send an e-mail to The Bioimaging Team as well as to the next user.

PLEASE NOTE: Cancellations later than 24 h prior to a booked session should only occur e.g. due to illness or unforeseen emergencies.

Image Treatment & Analysis

- Can I get help to analyse my images/data?

Yes, please visit us at our Open Office sessions where we can discuss your need further.

Data Storage

- Does the Bioimaging Core Facility regularly back up the user data?

The Bioimaging Core Faility is not responsible for your data. DATA ON LOCAL PC DRIVES WILL BE DELETED ON A REGULAR BASIS in order to keep the systems performing optimally.

Please ensure that you transfer your data to your personal AU drive (O:) after each session.

- How can I get an access to my data?

  • After using a microscope or a workstation, please transfer your data immediately to your personal AU drive (O:) and clean up your local directories on instrument PCs if you are not reusing data in subsequent experiments.
  • For getting acces to your personal AU drive (O:), open the icon named Map on the desktop and user your AU-ID (au followed by number) and password to log-in. Close acess to your personal drive by pressing the icon on the desktop named disconnect. 
  • The Bioimaging Core Facility staff will provide support to non-AU users for exporting data.
  • Use of USB memory sticks or external hard drives is for security reasons not allowed.

- May I use my personal USB memory stick or external hard drive for data storage?

No, any use of USB memory sticks or external hard drives is for security reasons not allowed. Usage of USB memory sticks may lead to suspension of the user license.

Publications

- Should I mention that I used the Bioimaging Core Facility for my publications?

  • Always mention the Bioimaging Core Facility in your acknowledgements and if relevant also in your Materials and Methods section. This is critical for the facility e.g. for better visibility of the facility and for fundraising purposes.
  • For the acknowledgments section: The authors acknowledge the Bioimaging Core Facility, Health, Aarhus University, Denmark, for the use of equipment and support.
  • For the Materials and Methods section: Image acquisition and analyses were performed at the Bioimaging Core Facility, Health, Aarhus University, Denmark.
  • If requested by the journal, our Research Resource Identification (RRID) number is: RRID:SCR_023876

- How do I make sure that my publication is added to the Bioimaging Core Facility website?

The Bioimaging Core Facility staff depends on your contribution to keep the publication list updated. Please send us an e-mail providing the references of any publications that have used the equipments of the facility. We appreciate your help!

- How should I mention the equipment and methods I used at the Bioimaging Core Facility in my publication?

If requested by your journal, you may include the following information (where relevant) in your Materials and Methods section, to accurately describe the way in which you did your imaging:

  • microscope model and manufacturer, e.g. 710 laser scanning confocal microscope, Zeiss
  • objective lens magnification, NA, and correction for abberation, e.g. 63x/1.4 oil Plan-Apochromat
  • wavelengths of excitation and emission
  • camera model and manufacturer
  • software programme(s) and version, e.g. Zeiss Zen Desk
  • image acquisition settings, e.g. focus step size (for z-series), exposure time, binning, time between images (for time lapse)
  • details of any image processing or analysis procedures

   

  • The purchase of the Newton 7.0 has been possible by a grant from the Carlsber Foundation. If you used the Newton 7.0, please acknowledge the Carlsberg Foundation (CF23-1388) in publications.

- What is the RRID number of the Bioimaging Core Facility?

The Research Resource Identification (RRID) number of the Aarhus University Bioimaging Core Facility is: RRID:SCR_023876.

What is an RRID number? 

Billing

- How is my session charged if my use exceeds my booking?

Please ensure that you adjust your online booking to include the extra time. The minimum time that can be booked is 30 min for most instruments.

- How is my session charged if I start before my booking?

Please ensure that you adjust your online booking to include the extra time. The minimum time that can be booked is 30 min for most instruments.

- How is my session charged if I did not use my booking?

If you did not use your booked time slot, e.g. due to illness or unforeseen emergencies, please let us know by e-mail and we will charge accordingly.

- How am I charged if I cancel my booking when my session has already started?

By default, you are charged for your booked time slots. Cancelling in the booking system is only possible up to 24 h prior to your session. If you are unsure if your experiment has worked, start by booking a short time slot (minimum possible booking time for most instruments: 30 min) and, if possible, extend your booking.

Equipment

- How should I report a problem with an instrument?

  • If you detect any problems when using our equipment, please report it immediately by sending an e-mail to the Bioimaging Core Facility staff where you describe the problem as accurately as possible.
  • Please also make note a about it in the log book located next to the microscope.

- Should I clean the equipment after use?

  • After use, you should carefully clean any oil/silicon/water objectives by using the tip of a folded lens paper, which can be found next to the microscopes. Please do not use ordinary tissues. If in doubt, do not hesitate to ask us - we are happy to show you!
  • Please leave the work station neat and clean for the next user.

- My image acquisitions take a while. May I meanwhile use the equipment for internet access?

For security reasons, surfing the internet, downloading files, checking your e-mail account etc. is not allowed from our computers. If you want to access the internet, please bring your own devices and use WiFi.