DFCI Flow Cytometry Core Facility
Policies/Billing
Fees
| MoFlo/FACSAria Sorting (assisted) | DFCI: $75/hr | Non-DFCI: $110/hr |
| LSR II Analysis | DFCI: $50/hr | Non-DFCI: $70/hr |
| FACScan Analysis (assisted) | DFCI: $50/hr | Non-DFCI: $70/hr |
| Self-Run FACScan Analysis | DFCI: $40/hr | Non-DFCI: $60/hr |
| FlowJo Analysis (assisted) | DFCI: $50/hr | Non-DFCI: $70/hr |
| Bio-Plex 200 Analysis | DFCI: $60/hr | Non-DFCI: $70/hr |
Scheduling
All scheduling is done through the online scheduler.
The scheduler guide provides detailed instructions for using the online scheduler.
MoFlo time, FACSAria time and assisted Scan time is available for booking from 2 - 14 days in advance. Appointments may also be modified or deleted within 2 - 14 days in advance. If you want to cancel an appointment or book time for today or tomorrow, please call 617-632-3179 and a staff member will help you.
Self-run FACScan time is available from 0 - 14 days in advance. Appointments may also be modified or deleted within this time.
We provide two computers for researchers to analyze their own data using FlowJo, CellQuest, or ModFit. These machines are available and free to use during facility hours. You can also schedule facility time for assisted re-analysis of data.
MoFlo and FACSAria cancellations must be made more than 48 hours in advance or you will be charged for the total time reserved.
FACScan and assisted LSR II or Bio-Plex 200 cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance or you will be charged for the total time reserved. (Exception: Monday appointments must be cancelled before 10am Monday morning to avoid billing charges.)
If you are unable to cancel your appointment through the online scheduler, call us at 617-632-3179 and leave a voicemail, or email us at dfci.flow.cytometry@gmail.com BEFORE the time limit is up. The timestamp on the email or voicemail will determine if the cancellation was far enough in advance.
Billing
You will be billed to the number you provide when making your reservation online. When we submit your usage into our billing database, you will be sent an email from dfci.flow.cytometry@gmail.com. This email will act as your receipt: it will contain your usage information and how much we have charged to your billing number.
It is your responsibility to forward all pertinent information to your financial coordinator.
All billing is in 1/2 hour increments and is rounded up to the nearest 1/2 hour (10 minutes is billed as 1/2 hour; 40 minutes is billed as 1 hour). The minimum time slot for FACScan, LSR II, and Bio-Plex use is 1/2 hour. The minimum time slot for MoFlo and the FACSAria use is 1 hour. You are charged for the time reserved or the time actually used, whichever is greater.
Independent users are charged for the time reserved or the time logged on, whichever is greater.
If you are not using a Dana Farber project number, we require a paper copy of each purchase order you use. Click here for more information about standing POs and single-usage POs.
Self-Run Information
We encourage researchers to use the FACScans independently. Self-run users enjoy many benefits, including 24-hour use of the facility, lower rates (FACScans), and a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of flow cytometry as a method.
Please do not hesitate to sign up for training.
Self-run users will take a two-hour training course on their perspective machine. They will then learn to run their own samples in one-on-one sessions at the FACScan, or in their two hour training course on the LSR II or Bio-Plex 200. Finally, they will take a practical exam to demonstrate their independence.
Self-run policies and information may be found here.
Data Storage
As of January 2005 we store all acquired data. Data older than a few months is backed up on DVD. If you wish to save your data for future use, please use a CD-RW, USB drive, or network share folder. We no longer store data on Zip disks.
Please keep track of your filenames if you intend on saving your data. This filename helps identify which machine and what date your samples were run on. Filenames will be on the printouts you receive at your appointment, and also in your "Usage Logged" email you receive afterwards.
Other Policies
The flow cytometry core facilty operates as a BSL2 facility. This means that this is an open core facility with many researchers coming and going throughout the day. It is therefore very important for us to know exactly what the biohazard classification is for all of the samples we sort or analyze.
Cell Sorter Policy: Samples that are derived from patients/donors that are of an unknown pathogenic nature are classified as BSL3 due to the fact that the samples are aerosolized going through the cell sorter. Samples that have been tested and shown to be HIV-, HepB-, and HepC- (with proper documentation) can only be run on MoFlo 3 and are then classified as BSL2+. MoFlo 3 has a biohood and allows us a greater measure of protection than our other cell sorters. However, samples that are tested and have been shown to meet our criteria may still have other pathogens that can be considered biohazardous, therefore having all the information about the sample helps us prepare accordingly. We also reserve the right to reject samples if testing documentation can not be provided. Samples with a BSL1 rating can be run on any of the cell sorters. Samples with a higher biosaftey rating must meet the biosaftey guidelines can can be found at the following link: ISAC Bio-Saftey Data. Please feel free to contact the director should you have any questions regarding this matter.
Analyzer Policy: Samples that are properly fixed in 2% PFA for several hours can be run on any of the analyzers in the lab. Please feel free to contact the director if you have any questions regarding this policy.
DFCI staff will be given priority if a machine breaks down or a staff member is out sick. We try to re-arrange and reschedule appointments; sometimes this is not possible.