Kaganovich Lab Imaging Policies
Every member of the lab must become an independent and responsible "expert" user of all of our microscopy equipment. Independence on the equipment is essential for good work and work after hours, but carries with it a serious danger for the lab. Damage to the microscopes is next to impossible to repair since the costs are astronomical, let alone the damage done to the lab during the time we wait for repairs while all of the projects stand still. Our attitude towards responsible use of equipment is outlined in general Kaganovich lab policies and will be taken especially seriously when it comes to imaging. There is a zero tolerance policy for any irresponsible use of the equipment. Because messy and disorganized work habits eventually lead to equipment damage we will make sure to address these types of problems early on.
There is a fingerprint scanner at the entrance to the microscope room that will keep track of who enters the room and when. In addition to this, users will be asked to reserve time in advance (even if it is 5 minutes in advance) on a Google calendar dedicated to the microscopy schedule (please indicate which microscopy application you plan to use and which objectives). Failure to accurately report use via Google calendar will be considered a violation of User Policies.
There is a fingerprint scanner at the entrance to the microscope room that will keep track of who enters the room and when. In addition to this, users will be asked to reserve time in advance (even if it is 5 minutes in advance) on a Google calendar dedicated to the microscopy schedule (please indicate which microscopy application you plan to use and which objectives). Failure to accurately report use via Google calendar will be considered a violation of User Policies.
Kaganovich Lab Imaging Collaboration Policies
Our goal is to be able to assist the imaging needs of others, as best we can, while getting our own work done as well. It is especially important for us to teach students at the Institute about advanced imaging and train them to work on microscopes. That said, our imaging equipment is our work-horse and our life-line. Every project in the lab relies on all of the imaging equipment functioning in perfect form. Therefore, the one thing that can not be tolerated is improper or cause of the equipment. Moreover, there are significant costs to maintaining this equipment for use (lasers and lamps have a finite lifetime and must be replaced once in a while, there are laser alignment issues, software upgrades, and small repairs). We expect our collaboration policies to evolve over time, and we will try to do our best to work with others, while protecting our equipment.
Anyone outside the lab who is interested in using our microscope is invited to get in touch with me (the head of the lab). Before we begin, it is important that we all meet together (student who wants to use the microscope, their PI, and myself) to discuss the best way to proceed. This is especially important because both the PI and the student must acknowledge financial responsibility for any damage that is incurred during use. The Google calendar and fingerprint scanner will help me keep track of who is using the microscope and when.
Our strategy will differ depending on the situation. For incidental use (less than a month - urgent image needed, simple pilot experiment, etc) we will probably ask a student from the lab to assist. We do not ask for co-publication as a price for equipment use, but if a student from the lab contributes significant effort to the project it may be appropriate to add the student (and only the student) as a co-author.
For a more long-term project (longer than a month) we will work towards training the student from the visiting lab to work on the microscope. Initially this will be done in the presence of a student from the Kaganovich lab, and we will see how the situation develops. In the event that long-term use of the equipment is needed, we will ask the visiting lab to contribute financially (against the maintenance cost of equipment). We will work out the precise arrangement - the payment can be in the form of consumables, or for the time that one of our students has to spend on the visiting project.
For "true collaborations" in which we share interests and are working on a joint project we will develop an individualized plan that suits the occasion.
Anyone outside the lab who is interested in using our microscope is invited to get in touch with me (the head of the lab). Before we begin, it is important that we all meet together (student who wants to use the microscope, their PI, and myself) to discuss the best way to proceed. This is especially important because both the PI and the student must acknowledge financial responsibility for any damage that is incurred during use. The Google calendar and fingerprint scanner will help me keep track of who is using the microscope and when.
Our strategy will differ depending on the situation. For incidental use (less than a month - urgent image needed, simple pilot experiment, etc) we will probably ask a student from the lab to assist. We do not ask for co-publication as a price for equipment use, but if a student from the lab contributes significant effort to the project it may be appropriate to add the student (and only the student) as a co-author.
For a more long-term project (longer than a month) we will work towards training the student from the visiting lab to work on the microscope. Initially this will be done in the presence of a student from the Kaganovich lab, and we will see how the situation develops. In the event that long-term use of the equipment is needed, we will ask the visiting lab to contribute financially (against the maintenance cost of equipment). We will work out the precise arrangement - the payment can be in the form of consumables, or for the time that one of our students has to spend on the visiting project.
For "true collaborations" in which we share interests and are working on a joint project we will develop an individualized plan that suits the occasion.
