Greetings Customers,

We hope that each of you is doing well and staying healthy. As part of the Medical School Research Reactivation Process guidelines, a Phase 1 ramp-up will begin on Tuesday, May 26th for the Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB). The Flow Cytometry Core located within the BSRB is participating.

As we start up research projects again, it is important to understand that due to mandatory social distancing guidelines, core operations will be different than in the past. New operational guidelines are outlined below, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

The MiCores calendar has already been opened to accept appointment requests, however, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• BSRB Flow Cytometry Core operations are currently planned for staff operation Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
• Should usage necessitate increased hours prior to opening the other facilities, we will examine the possibility of staffing on the weekend.
• The BSRB building will be operating on a limited operating day, from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
• During the initial ramp-up, building access to BSRB is for occupants only. Others will not be given access to the building, per Medical School/UMOR decision.
• While self-assist users are welcome to use the core as per normal, we do not control access to the building.
• Access to the BSRB is restricted to a single entrance. As there will likely be lines for entrance and screening, you should plan to arrive accordingly.
• Self-Assist (SA) Operators will be given access to the lab, however,
• As we must stagger the number of individuals in the lab at any given time, SA appointments are no longer auto-approved and must go through the standard manual approval process.
• SA users must wear masks, gloves, and gowns/coats in the lab at all times.
• SA users will be required to wipe down the workstation with ethanol upon finishing.
• Technician-assisted investigators will no longer be allowed to enter the lab.
• Samples will be dropped off at the station located outside the lab door.
• Sample tubes must be labeled numerically (1,2,3,…) and accompanied with a sheet identifying the tubes.
• Samples must include negative (unstained) and single positive control samples (no exceptions).
• While you will not be allowed into the lab during the experiment, if you include an email in the “Event Notes” section of the MiCore appointment request, we will send you the TeamViewer remote desktop login information.  With this software, you will be able to monitor the experiment, speak to the operating technician, and even take control to draw gates if desired.
• Data will be emailed to the user in PDF (or requested alternative) format.
• Sorted samples will be placed at the drop-off location for pickup.
• For the time being, hands-on training will be unavailable as it can not be performed under the mandated social distancing requirements.

Thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we take our first steps in re-opening research. I, and the rest of the staff, are eagerly looking forward to working with you all again. Please direct follow-up questions directly to me and stay safe.

Thank you,

David Adams
Managing Director, Flow Cytometry Core