Electron Microscope Facility Policies
As of May 1st, 2026, the following Electron Microscope (EM) Lab policies apply to all EM Facility users.
Scheduling Time on Tundra, Tecnai F20, and Morgagni 268
Tundra and Tecnai F20
Each user is limited to two active weekly reservations. Once a session has started, an additional reservation can be made.
On the Tundra Instrument time may be reserved in up to 24-hour blocks. Reservations of less than 24 hours are eligible for the daily capped rate regardless of start or end time. Reservations that use the full 24-hour block must not begin before 9:00 AM or extend beyond 9:00 AM the following day in order to qualify for the daily cap. For overnight data collection extending beyond this window, users should book two consecutive 24-hour reservations, each subject to the applicable daily rate cap.
Please make sure to remove your grid before the next user’s session starts. On the Tundra the loading station needs to be cryo-cycled at the end of each session.
Morgagni 268
Each user is limited to three active weekly reservations. Reservations between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. are limited to four hours per session. Once a session has started, an additional reservation can be made.
Vitrobot
A minimum two-hour buffer is required between Vitrobot bookings to ensure that the ethane cup and chamber are fully dry before the next user session begins.
Please note that Vitrobot use is provided at no additional charge only when it is accompanied by an imaging session on one of our TEM instruments. Vitrobot use without an associated TEM imaging session will be subject to applicable fees.
Cancellation and Time Grabbing
If for any reason you cannot use your session, it is your responsibility to delete the sign-up entry from reservation calendar as early as possible. An entry can not be removed once the start time of the session has passed. Entries which are not removed will be charged the full rate.
If a user does not show up after one hour from the entered starting time, his/her reservation may be lost. Any qualified user can sign-up or grab this session.
General Polices
Important: If you experience problems while operating any of the instruments, please notify Berith Isaac. Attempting to correct a malfunction and inadvertently damaging one of the microscopes can void our service agreement. In the event of an emergency, shut down procedures for the microscopes and ancillary instruments are located in the instruction protocols for each instrument.
Very high temperatures in the rooms (above 76F) also indicate a problem and either Berith, or Brandeis facilities at extension 68500, need to be contacted.
Users must treat the shared cryo-EM equipment with care (from tweezers to the microscopes). No instruments/tools/chemicals should be removed from the facility at any time. If any tools are missing or damaged, the user should report the problem to a staff member at the beginning of the user’s session.
If user error results in damage to a piece of equipment or a tool we will issue an official warning. Repeat offenses will result in the user being charged for the cost of repairing or replacing the equipment/tool.
All users must clean up their work areas after they finished their session and return all used items to their proper storage location.
All chemical waste must be disposed of in accordance with the rules of the Brandeis University Safety Office. If you have questions regarding this, please contact an EM lab staff member for assistance, Andy Finn (Safety Management) at extension 64262 or Radiation Safety at extension 64261.
Important: Confine the use of heavy metal stains to the staining lab bench in room 436. Place any contaminated materials into the waste containers provided. All solid and liquid waste must be properly disposed of using the containers provided.
Users of the Brandeis EM facility should not be in other lab spaces. If you need additional consumables or supplies, ask Berith about what is and is not available.
Violations
Users violating to EM Lab policies will be warned once. Repeated violations may result in users being barred from any EM facility use for a period of time or permanently.