Service Rates & Policies

The Flow Cytometry and Immune Function Core Facility is a dual-level biosafety lab which utilizes Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) as the minimal work practices level in the primary lab space, and Biosafety Level 2 (BLS-2) in the facility's biocontainment room. Each investigator must prepare samples in their designated laboratories. Prepared samples that are brought into the facility for analysis and sorting must be clearly identified as biohazardous (infectious or live human samples) (BSL-2) or non-hazardous (BSL-1). All infectious samples must be stored in the refrigerator in the biocontainment room. All non-infectious samples must be stored in the refrigerator in the main lab. 

Work Practices:

• Standard BSL-1 practices must be used at all locations in the facility EXCEPT the biocontainment room.
  • Infectious samples are NOT permitted in any facility locations EXCEPT the biocontainment room.
  • Use of BSL-1 personal protective equipment (gloves and lab coat) is required in all facility locations EXCEPT the biocontainment room.
• Standard BSL-2 practices must be used within the biocontainment room at all times when infectious samples are being handled. 
  • Use of BSL-2 personal protective equipment (Polyethylene coated seamless-front gown with cuffs, disposable gloves, N95 fitted mask, and safety glasses) is required in the biocontainment room when working with infectious samples.
• Surface disinfection (Lysol I.C. Quaternary Cleaner Disinfectant, 1:256 dilution) will be performed before and after each run. 
• All of the solid biological waste will be handled as biohazardous waste and must be taken back to the investigator's lab for disposal.
• The use of analytic flow cytomeres and, especially, aerosol-generating sorters with samples that contain viable infectious organisms presents a serious infectious risk to both facility users and staff. With analytic flow cytometers, the main problem is the generation of aerosols by the instrument, contamination of external surfaces, or a sample spill onto a work surface or floor in an environment not set up to handle infectious samples. 
• Use of the FACSymphony with un-fixed biohazardous samples is strictly prohibited. All such samples must be sterilized with the use of an approved agent - usually 2-4% paraformaldehyde. Examples of materials that are not to be used in a viable state on these instruments include:
  • human cells (both cell lines and primary cells), since they are potential carriers of human pathogens (HIV, TB, HepB, HepC, HepD, etc.)
  • cells containing recombinant viral DNA vectors
  • any cell known to carry a potential human pathogen

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in facility access being revoked. If you are in doubt, please discuss this with the Facility Director or contact Environmental Health and Safety.