Core Policies

All MSU Flow Cytometry Core Facility Users are required to adhere to Core rules and staff instructions. 

• Users are responsible for safe lab practices and proper waste disposal.
• Trained users are responsible for following appropriate cleaning and shutdown procedures on each instrument. 
• Trained users are responsible for turning off instrumentation if they are the last to use by following the appropriate shutdown procedures. 
• Report any instrument or accessory failures to staff immediately. 
• Bring your own consumables: tubes, pipette tips, filters, etc. 

• Do NOT:  
  • Use external storage devices (USB, hard drives, etc. with exception of CQ1 data transfer).  
  • Modify or install software on Core Facility computers. 
  • Modify instruments physically without Core staff training and approval. 
• Sample Preparation:  
  • Filter samples prior to bringing to the Core. 
  • Avoid instrument-damaging substances (e.g., solvents, unreacted fixatives). 
  • Provide accurate sample info in the Biosafety & Policy Agreement Form. 
  • No BSL-3 or radioactively labeled samples are allowed in the Core Facility. 
  • BSL-2 samples must be appropriately fixed prior to running samples on Core benchtop analyzers. 
  • Unfixed BSL-2/2+ samples allowed only on SONY MA900 or BD FACSAria IIu with proper approval. 
• Abuse of instruments through negligence or failure to follow appropriate procedures will incur charges to compensate for instrument use, repair or replacement costs (those not covered by service contracts).
• Repeat policy violations will require retraining or suspension of access. 

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Training Policies

Using the following link , new users can book a General Consultation meeting with an available core staff member. Booking must be made 72 hours in advance.  

• Required for all new users:  
  • Introduction to the MSU Flow Cytometry Core Facility (D2L, ~20m)
  • Project Review Meeting (Zoom, ~1h)
• Based on instrument-specific training track assigned in D2L: 
• • • Basic flow cytometry and/or spectral cytometry training in D2L. 
    • Instrument-specific training: this is a hybrid of D2L virtual training and hands-on training, typically 3 sessions (may vary by user or equipment), with 4th session focusing on data analysis training (FlowJo or FCS Express). 
    • Super User Training is required for after-hours and weekend use.

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Scheduling & Cancellation Policies

All scheduling is done through iLab 

• Assisted acquisition and staff-led training are only available Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm. 
• Assisted cell sorting or Luminex events must be booked ≥72 hours in advance. 
• Unassisted use: shifting same day use time is allowed, barring this doesn’t interfere with others scheduled time. 
• After-hours or weekend use: Billed for scheduled or actual time, whichever is greater (as long as no other user is impacted). 
• Cancellations:  
  • < 24 hours’ notice → Full charge, unless another user claims this scheduled use time. 
  • ‘No shows’ will also be charged for full booked time 
• Late arrivals:  
• • • A grace period of 15 minutes is allowed for scheduled business-hour use. 
    • Cell sorting: >30 minutes late without notice, sort may be canceled and billed. 
    • If your session exceeds your scheduled time and overlaps with another user’s, they retain their scheduled right to use the instrument.

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Billing Policies

• Users must reserve time on iLabs with designated, unexpired account details. 
• Billing is based on whichever is greater: Scheduled time or logged software time (billed in 15-min intervals). 
• Monthly bills are reviewed and sent to departments at the beginning of the following month. 

• Additional charges apply:  
  • Instrument left on after use → billed time:  
    • 1st offense: 50% of time left on. 
    • Subsequent offenses: 100% of time left on. 
  • Unreserved usage → time logged + 1 hour at approved rate 
  • BSL-2+ cell sorting or small particle setup → +1.5 hours at approved rate. 
• Users may be billed for instrumentation or accessory damage for parts that are not covered under service contracts.

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Data Management Policies

Please note that raw data preservation is ultimately the responsibility of the user and is not the responsibility of the Core Facility.

• Users are responsible for backing up data to their own lab’s shared storage location. 
• No external storage devices allowed, with the exception of data transfer for CQ1.
• Data recovery requests may be charged at instrument approved billing rates. 

• • Data retention:  
    • On acquisition computers: ≥1 month
    • On Core Sharepoint: ≥1 year 
    • Data older than 1 year may be deleted after the retention period.

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Data Reporting/Publication Policies

When publishing data generated using MSU Flow Cytometry Core Facility instrumentation: 

• Please acknowledge utilization of the MSU Flow Cytometry Core Facility in publications and presentations. 
• Cite relevant equipment grants supporting the Core. 
• Recognize Core staff who contributed scientifically, technically, or editorially. 
• Authorship should be considered when Core personnel provide a significant contribution to a project or assay endpoint (e.g., project design, complex analysis, manuscript revisions). 

In order to access any of the equipment housed in the MSU Flow Cytometry Core Facility, each User must agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the Core as listed on the User’s Guide.