*Reduced Rates

• Time lapse imaging: Fifty percent hourly rates after three hours of continuous use on live imaging systems. Contact staff for daily rates available for very long experiments.
• Off-hours: Fifty percent hourly rates for all use weekdays between 7 pm and 7 am and on weekends.
• Time lapse and off-hour discounts cannot be combined.
• Please refer to the Author Information page for projects requiring extensive input or involving the development of novel strategies are eligible for project rates.
• External Users: Rates are twice the internal rates and time on instruments is restricted to Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Before using any equipment, our users must complete training conducted by CoRE staff. To maintain quality and consistency, users are also not permitted to train other users. For each platform, the CoRE provides one free training session per user. For specialized applications, additional training is offered at no cost during a user's booked session.

Users who require refresher training can schedule it as a current rate assisted session. We strongly recommend that users schedule their training close to when they plan to start using the equipment for data generation. After the initial training, users enter a two-week probationary period during which they can use the microscopes during regular business hours (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday). During this time, CoRE personnel will evaluate the user's mastery of the instrument(s) and adherence to policies. If necessary, CoRE personnel may arrange additional assisted sessions at current rates until the user demonstrates proficiency.

Our facility uses a web-based calendar system for reservations. Each CoRE user is assigned a unique username and password for logging into facility workstations, and sharing of accounts is strictly prohibited. Once a user has completed their training and demonstrated adequate proficiency, they will be provided with information to access the facility 24/7.

Each microscope has a specific penalty-free cancellation period, typically 24 hours, during which reservations can be deleted without charge. Users may edit reservations up until the end of this penalty-free period.

After this time, and before the reservation starts, users must contact CoRE personnel to modify or cancel reservations. Cancelled reservations will not be fully removed, and users will be charged for their reservation time unless another user books all or part of the reservation. Partial rebooking will result in billing for any remaining time to the original user.

No-shows and unused time will be charged as regular sessions. At the discretion of CoRE personnel, no-show training sessions may also be charged at current rates. Reservations may be extended only if the system is not already booked for the following time. Users must log off after their allotted time, especially if the system is booked following their session. In the event of a conflict, current-time reservations take precedence, and ongoing experiments may be terminated to adhere to the scheduled time.

For every electron microscopy project, an initial meeting with Bill Janssen and Allison Sowa is mandatory to discuss project feasibility, scheduling, and pricing. Users will receive a quote with "projected costs" that includes a 25 percent price buffer to cover unexpected project needs, such as additional sample preparation services or extended imaging time. This quoted amount is not a "will not exceed" cost for the project. Final billing occurs monthly and will only include "known charges," which are the actual services rendered during that month.

To obtain access to any CoRE system, our users must first submit all relevant compliance documents. The following considerations also apply:

• All users of laser-based imaging systems (i.e. confocal microscopes, multiphoton microscopes, the ultramicroscope) requires the completion of the online "Laser Safety for Researchers" course on PEAK. A certificate of completion must be on file with CoRE personnel prior to training or microscope use.
• Prior to bringing samples to our facility, users with BSL2 or BSL2+ specimens must have an approved standard operating procedure signed by the Biosafety Officer on file with the CoRE.
• All live animal imaging requires IACUC approval prior to using the CoRE. A signed approval must be on file with the Microscopy CoRE.
• No gloves are allowed when handling any microscope system or workstation. For the Ultramicroscope, current glove policy is explained during training.

Our data policy dictates that all data should be saved on our local server, rather than the microscope workstations. Users are also responsible for the immediate collection and backup of their data. The CoRE does not provide archival or storage services for data and our computers are purged monthly. Any data stored on the microscope computer workstations are subject to automatic deletion without notice. A free workstation is provided at the CoRE for data retrieval.

CoRE users may create and store files only within their dedicated folders. These are: 

• The CoRE’s public or “Temp: folder,” which is used for day-to-day tasks such as image exports and temporary storage of acquired data, and is purged every Monday morning.
• The “Projects” folder of the associated lab under Microscopy Public\ {Lab Name}.
• For instruments directly connected to the HIVE, users should connect directly to the “MicroscopyPublic” folder by accessing the local network. Please note that CoRE users need to create an account on our HIVE server.

Files older than 21 days are subject to automatic deletion without notice, and we ask users not to store files long term on any CoRE computers. Files in any folder other than the dedicated folders mentioned above are also subject to automatic deletion without notice. 

All image exports are subject to automatic deletion without notice. Please remove them from the server and store them locally. For processed files, the following policies apply:

1. Stitched (e.g., light sheet stitched files): after stitching, keep the stitched series and remove the original series.
2. Imaris or Arivis Vision 4D: after importing to the software, remove the original dataset, and keep only the imported files.
3. Deconvolution: after deconvolution, remove the unprocessed original files.
4. Videos and other processed files: these files are subject to deletion without notice. Users should remove them from the server immediately and store locally.

Please also note that users may keep only one copy of each raw data set. No processed or duplicated data is allowed. The CoRE C has no responsibility for storing user data, other than raw image datasets that less are than 21 days old.  Our user and lab quotas are closely monitored, and offenders will be notified to reduce their folder size. There are no exceptions to this policy without prior CoRE approval, although we may accommodate special cases on a case-by-case basis.  

Users must report any equipment failure or damage immediately to CoRE personnel. Delaying reporting damage causes delays for every user of the instrument. It is also our policy that in the case of unreported damage, the last user on the instrument logs will be held responsible.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai adheres to policies set forth by the Mount Sinai Health System’s Department of Human Resources regarding external consultants. This includes the policy that approved consultants do not have access to equipment and systems within Icahn Mount Sinai, which are provided exclusively for the use of researchers.

That said, external consultants who provide services or expertise not available within the COREs may, under certain circumstances, obtain approval to use equipment or services within the Dean’s CoREs. This requires a written agreement and the written approval of the CoRE’s Director. Please note that consultants providing services that overlap with those already provided by the CoRE will not be approved.

All approved use by consultants is limited to the hours of 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and will be charged at rates equal to use by researchers outside of the Icahn School.