General information on terms of use
Access regulations and costs
The core facility is open to all staff of the Ruhr University Bochum as well as external users, with members of the Faculty of Medicine given priority. For the latter, the use of the instruments is free of charge; only consumables such as buffers, filters, cleaning solutions, and beads for quality control are allocated to all users based on usage.
Instrument use is scheduled either via the online booking system for CyFlow and CytoFLEX devices, or by individual appointment arranged by core facility staff for operator-run systems such as the Sony ID7000 and MoFlo Astrios.
Before first use, all users receive comprehensive training in the basics of flow cytometry as well as in the available instruments and their applications. After successful training, access to the online booking calendar is activated for the respective research group. The training also includes a BSL-2 safety briefing in accordance with §12 of the Genetic Engineering Safety Ordinance (GenTSV).
Safety
FlowCore@RUB is an S2 laboratory under German genetic engineering regulations. All applicable safety regulations must be strictly observed and are communicated during the training. In addition, the relevant operating instructions and the hygiene plan are posted in the laboratory and must be adhered to.
At the flow cytometers, samples of safety levels S0, S1, and S2 may be measured. Cell sorting generates aerosols; therefore, the MoFlo Astrios is equipped with an Aerosol Management System and is operated within a biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) biosafety cabinet.
In line with the laboratory classification, FlowCore@RUB sorts only material up to and including safety level S2. To protect staff and all users, all users are required to provide complete information about potential risks associated with their samples before sorting begins. In case of violations of this policy, further access to FlowCore@RUB services may be denied.
Data backup
The data from conducted experiments are stored on the hard drive of the respective instrument computer. Users are asked to back up their data to their own media within six months of the measurement, as the data will then be deleted from the hard drive.