Cellular Imaging Unit

• Users from outside the HDQ site who wish to reserve must contact the technical manager by email uic@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca or by phone at (418) 525-4444 extension 15408. 
• Systems must be booked with the online booking platform: https://irisreservation.ca/Index.aspx 
• Bookings should reflect as accurately as possible the estimated period of use to promote access for other users. 
• A booking made on a confocal microscope (LSM 900 or FV1000) more than 24 hours in advance cannot exceed a total of three cumulative hours per day. A booking of a longer duration must be approved by the technical manager after consultation with him. If the technical manager deems the applicant’s request valid, he may reserve a maximum period of one full day in a single block. These cases must remain exceptional and rare. 
• During periods of high traffic on a particular system, reservations could be adjusted by the technical manager to optimize use. A microscope can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by duly trained users. 
• A booking without restriction in its duration is permitted if it is made the day before from 4:00 p.m. or the same day. 
• If a user does not show up on time without notifying the technical manager, a one-hour usage fee will be charged and the reservation may be transferred to another user without notice. A delay of 15 minutes could lead to the cancellation of the reservation, without appeal. 
• If a desired periods is already booked by someone else, the user can then inform the technical supervisor who keeps a waiting list and notifies the user of new availability in the event of a cancellation. 
• No agreements and/or changes between users are accepted for the sake of fairness. 

 Imaging systems with booking priority : 

• Booking priority on the different imaging systems is given according to their specific property. It should be noted that planning an experiment in advance is good practice and will be considered before moving an existing booking from anyone else. 
• FV1000: Specialized techniques requiring spectral deconvolution FRAP, FRET or photoactivation/photoconversion. 
• ULTRAVIEW: Live cell protocols and analysis of dynamic processes. 
• TIRF: Image acquisitions in TIRF; all other modalities combined will have priority over image processing or analysis tools. 
• Zeiss LSM 900: Acquisition of 3D and/or high-resolution images. 

Training on imaging systems: 

• Before being authorized to use the instruments of the Cell Imaging Unit (UIC), users must receive specific and mandatory training on the device. 
• Training is given by the technical supervisor. 
• Newly trained users must receive approval from the technical supervisor to operate the devices in his absence to validate their level of comfort in doing so, including start-up and shut-down procedures. They must also know the identity of the super-users authorized to help them on these systems. 

Superusers: 

• In the absence of the technical manager, a list of people who are experienced and willing to help users in need of assistance is posted near the door of the technical manager’s office. 
•  Superusers provide limited, one-time help and do not provide training. 

Using the imaging systems: 

• The use of imaging systems is subject to pricing and the rates are displayed on this document and at the imaging facility. 
• All systems must be used with great care and respecting the use for which they are designed, in case of doubt consult the technical supervisor.  
• No use that could damage the equipment will be tolerated.  
• Breakage, anomalies and problems observed must be reported to the technical supervisor as soon as possible, preferably in person or by email when not possible.  
• CRCHU de Quebec laboratory safety standards for handling, transporting and disposing of hazardous and biological materials must be respected.  
• Gloves and lab coats must be removed after sample manipulation before using the microscopes. 
• Any modification to the equipment, in particular the objectives, must be made by the technical authority.  
• It is forbidden to modify the wiring of the devices (such as USB plug).  
• It is forbidden to modify or install software program on the computers.  
• Removable drives (HDD or USB key) are prohibited except on the transfer station.  
• Internet browsing is accessible, but must be limited to scientific activities.  
• Leave the entire workstation cleaned and free of any product after use e.g., immersion oil, mounting medium, etc.  
• It is forbidden to bring food or drink to the Cellular Imaging Unit. 

Data management : 

• The Cellular Imaging Unit is not responsible for the conservation and archiving of data generated from acquisitions and analyses. 
• Users are solely responsible for ensuring their recovery through the transfer station. 
• Files must be saved temporarily in dedicated backup folders specified during training. Any files saved elsewhere may be deleted without notice. 
• Generated files must be deleted from acquisition and analysis stations by users within 30 days after their creation; after that period, they could be deleted by the technical supervisor without warning  

Updated  September 2023 

• Fiji, microscopy software
• Plugins for Fiji
• Icy, bioimage analysis software
• Cell Profiler, bioimage analysis software
• Nikon NIS Elements Viewer, software for viewing .ND2 files from systems using NIS Elements for acquisition
• ZEN Lite, Zeiss software

• Peer-reviewed Protocols
• Video Protocols

• Visualize the excitation and emission spectra of different fluorophores