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Procedures

Lab Access 

To request access to the BioMaterials Characterization Lab (BioMCL), please follow the directions below:

STEP 1: 

Getting Access to ICTAS/BioMCL:
Please use this link to the Microsoft Form and provide the required information. Note: This form is for both the MCL and BioMCL. Please select BioMCL under the first item for access to this specific lab.

ATTENTION: In field #12, upload a file containing a screenshot of your EHS Profile Page with your full name (See example below):

Users must include their name in their EHS Profile screenshot.

Once submitted, the form will be routed to your research advisor for approval. Upon approval, it will be reviewed by the ICTAS_ MCL/BioMCL Core facility research manager and processed by ICTAS facilities within 3 business days.

Note: This form is for both the MCL and BioMCL. Please select BioMCL under the first item for access to this specific lab.

STEP 2: 

Request Training:

Access to the ICTAS/BioMCL must be approved before requesting a training session.

Go to Clustermarket/Lab Dashboard. Click on the BioMCL User Training Request_Dr._ . Now click on the "Details" tab to know who is training the particular instrument you are interested in.

Go to Calander Tab under the  BioMCL User Training Request_Dr._ ,  Select an  available time slot that works for you, (go to the bottom of the screen), Click the “Advanced Options”, and under “Note”, write down what instrument training  (one at a time ONE AT A TIME) (e.g. XRD, AFM etc.) you are requesting.

* If you see another user requesting training on an instrument that you are also interested in; you can send an email requesting to join that training session without separately reserving a training slot.

 

STEP 3: 

Reserve Instruments:

Once trained, permission will be granted to reserve instrument/s at your convenience.  

Undergraduate students are NOT allowed to work alone unsupervised. Undergraduate students must be either with a graduate student from your PI’s research group or schedule a time with a BioMCL faculty/staff to supervise your work during the usage of the instrument/s.

Although you will see all the available instruments in the BioMCL online reservation system, you can only reserve instrument/s that you were trained on.

Facility Rules

  • Prior authorization from the lab manager is required to access and use the facility. 

  • Users must be current on EHS certifications.

  • Facility hours are 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. Monday - Friday. Special permission is required to use the facility outside these hours.  

  • The BioMCL operates as a BSL-2 laboratory. All users must strictly adhere to Virginia Tech's biosafety policies and protocols. 

  • No walk-ins. Prospective users must schedule training time with the facility faculty/staff, demonstrate competence on the relevant instruments prior to use, and complete additional training as required.

  • Only BioMCL faculty/staff can train users on any instrument in the lab. Training by a lab mate is prohibited unless authorized by the lab manager.

  • To use an instrument in the BioMCL, you must reserve time on the instrument and begin work within 30 minutes of your scheduled time. If you cannot make it or need to postpone, you must inform the faculty/staff.

  • Do not accompany students who do not have access to the facility.

  • There is no instrument usage fee for Virginia Tech users. External users will be charged a fee for using the facility; please contact the lab manager for details. 

  • Users must maintain a safe, clean work space and leave work areas tidy and ready for the next user. 

  • Do not remove any items, instruments, or parts without consulting lab faculty/staff.

  • Immediately notify the lab manager of any equipment issues or damage that occurs during your session.

  • Report any safety, contamination, or cleanliness issues to the lab manager promptly.

  • Consumption of food and beverages is strictly prohibited within the BioMCL.

  • Bringing unapproved chemicals or hazardous substances into the BioMCL is prohibited.

  • Failure to follow these policies may result in lab access being revoked at any time.

Attribution

When publishing research that includes data or results obtained using BioMCL instrumentation, please acknowledge the facility using the following language:

"This work was made possible by the use of Virginia Tech's BioMaterials Characterization Facility, which is supported by the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, the Macromolecules Innovation Institute, and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation."