Frequently Asked Questions

Before training is organized, you will need to

1. Register on our booking system - https://www.bmif.unsw.edu.au/book.dll , then

2. Meet with the Head of BMIF and/or one of the lab staff, during which research and training sessions are discussed.

Also please familiarize with our

·             terms and conditions

·             lab guidelines

Yes, please bring (UNSW record or equivalent),

·             risk assessment

·             safe work procedure

·             record of WHS training required

The WHS training required by BMIF is

1.           OHS Awareness

2.           Laboratory Safety Awareness

3.           Hazardous Substances

4.           PC2 Training

5.           Green Lab Environmental Compliance.

6.           Animal Ethics (for intravital only)

BMIF accepts evidence of enrolment on proviso a final record is given at completion of all courses.  UNSW WHS training information and schedule are on https://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/hs_training/index.html

Yes, a fee is chargeable.  Fee starts from commencement of training.  We also have subscription rates.  These fees are heavily subsidised by the university and are used to maintain the instruments and purchase low value upgrades for the systems. Please check out our fees on http://www.bmif.unsw.edu.au/usercorner.htm

Please contact us if you have queries about our fees.

You will get card access when you have been inducted by a BMIF lab staff.  Please contact you assigned trainer for more information - contact details on http://www.bmif.unsw.edu.au/contactus.htm

You can only login and book instruments after you have completed instrument training.  Until then, your assigned trainer will book instruments on your behalf.  Please contact your assigned trainer if you need more information – contact details on http://www.bmif.unsw.edu.au/contactus.htm. 

Data acquired on the microscopes will be saved to one of our servers. Unfortunately we do not allow you to insert any of your own personal USB devices into any of the BMIF machines as this has in the past taken microscopes out-of-action. You can retrieve your data off our servers by following the instruction contained in "Accessing data from BMIF servers" found in related documents to the right.

For 24/7 access to the BMIF, contact your assigned trainer who will be able to assist you. It is generally given after you have used the equipment regularly for 6 weeks or more. You will need to demonstrate that you can use the equipment without assistance and safely. At that time you be grantted an experienced user certificate which will allow you to use a system aftre hours.

This ultimately depends on your previous experience in light microscopy and background.

For core confocal and fluorescence microscopy you will require 3x3hour sessions. In these you will cover basic theory and using the microscope in a safe and responsible manner. In the last session you will be running solo and we will issue a certificate for you to access the microscope in business hours (8am to 6pm)

AFM requires typically 5X3hour sessions though depends on the techniques you wish to utilise.

Many of the microscopes in the facility are heavily used with waiting times of up to three weeks in peak periods. We ask that you limit your bookings to 2 x 4 hour sessions a week for the confocals and book in slots that readily permit another user to book a session prior or afterwards. You are welcome to book the system as much as you like after hours, once obtaining your experienced user certificate. Should a system not be heavily booked you are welcome to use it more than this. If you are unsure please talk with one of the BMIF staff.

You can book an instrument up to 3 weeks in advance as a general user. We strongly suggest you plan your experiments into the future as much as possible. In some cases we understand this isnt possible. Please speak with one of the BMIF staff and they can help you. We can help facilaite you to gain after hours usage or put you on an instrument that is less heavily booked.