BFC - user guidelines
The BFC provides open access to all interested researchers regardless of their affiliation to assistance in both Flow Cytometry Analysis and Sorting experiments. In order to gain self-use certification in our analyzers and sorters, the BFC team strives to provide each user with education and training to achieve independent performance.
How to get access to the BFC services
The first step to get access to the BFC services is to apply for an account in the iLab booking system. This system will be used for all bookings, service requests as well as introduction/training.
iLab
Once your iLab account is activated, you can request access to any of BFC's services
Safety regulations
Before commencing any new experiments, it is the obligation of the Principal Investigator (PI) to secure and maintain appropriate biosafety approvals. For each experiment, a Work Request should be created in iLab, where the user must fill in the biosafety information. In the event of any significant alteration in sample processing or instrumentation, a renewed risk assessment must be conducted, and it may be necessary to submit a new Work Request in iLab. For instance, changes from fixed to viable samples, or transitioning from an analytical instrument to a cell sorter are all frequent examples that may require renewed risk assessments and protocol submissions.
The analysis room (C0311) is classified at Biosafety Level 1 (BSL1). You can therefore bring BSL1 (lowest level) samples.
The sorting room (C0317) is classified at Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2). You can therefore bring BSL1 and BSL2 samples. Beware that we have different rules for each of our sorters:
- FACS Aria III sorter: dedicated to BSL1 samples. BSL2 samples are forbidden
- FACS Aria Fusion: this sorter is located within a safety cabinet, allowing the handling of BSL1 and BSL2 samples
In the event of having BSL3 samples, you can use the BSL3 facility cytometers for both analyzing and sorting. Please refer to their webpage for further information and contact.