New users - Start here

Here are listed the main things you need to do to get started using LMU services.

• Read the user policy.
• Register in Open IRIS and submit LMU project form (see instructions).
  • In the user access form you should describe your project so that we get an idea what instrument will be best. After we get the form we will arrange a time for the meeting where you will present your project to us using few slides (PowerPoint, pdf or some such) and we can solve together unclear points about your project. During the meeting we will update your user form, accept it and at the end we arrange a training time for the most suitable microscope.
• If you are from other department at University of Helsinki than the Institute of Biotechnology, fill in the key activation form.
• If you are not from University of Helsinki, you'll need to fill in also EuroBioImaging application: https://www.eurobioimaging.eu/about-us/how-to-access
• Book microscope in Open IRIS.
• LMU offers several network spaces to store your data.
  •  Generally you don't want to store your data on local or external hard drives because they are quite unreliable and often slow.
• Contact LMU staff
  • It is best to always send email to lmu-staff@helsinki.fi. This address reaches all of us, so even if one is sick or travelling, the others can respond.
• If you don't have much experience with microscopes please take a look here for imaging fundamentals and here for optimizing your imaging parameters. These should explain the basic terms that will come up during the meeting  / training and that you will have to report when you publish your data.
• Depending on the project it is perfectly normal to spend weeks or even months optimizing the sample and the imaging settings.  However it is important to remember that sample preparation is roughly 85% of the imaging project. If the sample is not perfect very little can be done at the microscope to save the day.