All prices below are for patrons with the University of Nebraska System (UNMC, VAMC, UNO, UNL, UNK). External academic and corporate rates are available. Contact core director for current prices.
Scanning of user samples with Imaging Specialist, AMCF staff scanning for users, and/or basic training with user’s samples
- With advanced scheduling, early morning (7am) and/or extended evening access (4:30 PM - 7 PM) may be available. Contact Core Manager.
- The Elyra is billed at $40/h for independent super users.
Scanning by independent users with Imaging Specialist available
- With advanced scheduling, early morning (7am) and/or extended evening access (4:30 PM - 7 PM) may be available. Contact Core Manager.
- Not all systems (Axioscan) are available for researcher operation, some systems (Ultramicroscope, Cell Discoverer 7, Elyra PS.1) are only available for researchers achieving super-user status (requires extended training and system proficiency).
- The Elyra is billed at $40/h for independent super users.
Scanning by certified* independent users
- New users must accumulate at least 20 hours of daytime use, display proficient and safe operation, and receive permission from AMCF staff to be approved for independent access on nights and weekends.
- Researchers achieving independent access permissions may also request independent scheduling permissions in RSS for night (6pm – 7am) and/or weekend access.
- Users are expected to schedule times and machines appropriately. Computer usage will be checked regularly, anyone using systems without permissions and/or reservations will lose access.
- The Elyra is billed at $40/h due to high maintenance costs.
Whole Slide Scanning (Fluorescent, Transmitted Light)
20x Transmitted Light slide scan $13.50/each
40x Transmitted Light slide scan $15.75/each
20x Fluorescent Light slide scan $17.00/each
40x Fluorescent Light slide scan $20.25/each
- Provide intensity reference in WSI sample submission form. Core staff may contact you to verify intensity settings for individual fluorescence channels.
- Complex samples (spheroids, disorganized and dispersed small FL samples) require extensive set-up to establish/maintain focus throughout the imaging sequence. An additional fee ($5) may be assessed for such samples but must be discussed with, and approved by, researchers prior imaging.
Tissue Clearing with X-Clarity System
The X-Clarity system uses proprietary buffers and media to optically clear samples. Clearing is a de-lipidation process, samples with low lipid content may not be rendered completely transparent.
- Up to six, 1 cm samples may be run at one time.
- Regular runs may be split between two researchers.
- Very dense samples (brain, tumors, large samples) may need to complete two active clearing cycles (requiring more buffer)
- Samples must be fully incubated (≥ 24 h) in RIM prior to imaging
- Samples will be returned to researchers for antibody labeling in PBS. RIM should only be used as the final step, prior to imaging.
Data Analysis Workroom (DRC I Room 1036)
HALO and IMARIS Workstations (see below) $7.50/h
Zeiss Workstation $0/h
- All workstations available 24h/day 7d/week.
- HALO workstation – ideal for 2D image analyses.
- IMARIS workstation 1– ideal for 3D image analyses.
- IMARIS workstation 2 – used for super resolution image analyses. Imaris workstation 1 may be used too.
- Zeiss Workstation – Zeiss Zen software for exporting and/or very basic analyses of *.czi images.
- ALL workstations (free and fee-per-use) must be scheduled in advance using RSS.
- HALO and IMARIS 1 workstations are also equipped with ImageJ and QuPath software.
- Researchers should request independent scheduling permissions and room access through AMCF core staff.
Advanced training in live cell experiments, FRAP, FRET, Multi-time with Autofocus, etc. (using researcher samples)
Weekdays: 8 AM – 4:30 PM $50.00/h
Advanced Consultation with AMCF Director (Dr. Jensen-Smith)
Initial (1h) project consultation provided free of charge (with support from INBRE program and FBPCC shared research resource grant). When expertise is required and goes beyond the scope of additional consultations, the director may agree to serve as a collaborator for a given project. Contact the director to discuss.
Additional consultation provided at $33.75/h
Billing Policies and Procedures
- All users must have a cost center number entered into the system prior to each period of use. This is required for automated billing.
- Minimal charge will be 30 minutes with extended use charged to the nearest 1/4 hour. Billing statements are issued monthly.
- New users and/or those who have not used the facility in 6-12 months must accumulate at least 20 hours of daytime use, display proficient and safe operation, and receive permission from AMCF staff to be approved for independent access on nights and weekends.
- If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged a fee of $30 to recover instrument set-up costs.
- If you arrive more than 15 minutes after your planned arrival, your first hour will be charged from the time scheduled, not the time of arrival. If you are more than 30 minutes late during high use periods, your time slot may be assigned to another user.
- Researchers should plan to include data transfer times into their reserved time slot and/or to scheduled additional time to transfer files.
- If you overbook time (i.e., book three hours and use one hour), you will be charged for the full use period unless another user is available on short notice.