Using SRNML: Getting Started

Steps for getting started with SRNML use

Consultation

• Make an appointment to discuss your experimental plan and match with core facility capabilities. 
• For general inquiries, if you're not sure how the lab might help, or want to learn more about what is available and how we can help, email Andy at amadden@ou.edu or srnml@ou.edu. 
• For confocal/ light microscopy: Email Dr. Tingting Gu at tingting.gu-1@ou.edu; 
• For scanning electron microscopy or X-ray diffraction, email Dr. Preston Larson at plarson@ou.edu; 
• For transmission electron microscopy, email Dr. Julian Sabisch at jsabisch@ou.edu.

Gain access and read policies

To visit the lab in-person, OU-Norman and OU-HSC students should email us your OU ID# (such as 112-xx-xxxx) and we will request access for our Sooner Card lock system. Setting up Mobile Sooner Card access using your phone/smartwatch, etc. is recommended.

As a user of SRNML facilities, you should read and be aware of our rates and polices The SRNML sponsored by the OU Vice President for Research and Partnerships as a core shared research facility.  For access to the SRNML, users of this facility and its resources must agree to the following terms:

• To abide by all safety rules and other regulations as set forth by OU and by the SRNML personnel.
• Maintain current training for Laboratory Safety, Hazard Communication, etc. through onpoint.ou.edu.
• Use only instruments for which authorization has been approved and abide by the SRNML access policies.
• Only use equipment after reserving in iLab.
• Report any equipment problems immediately to SRNML personnel. 
• Remove samples promptly and leave facilities clean and ready for the next user. Any chemicals or samples temporarily stored in SRNML facilities must be labeled with a name and date.
• Contribute towards your share of cost recovery according to the posted SRNML rates.

Researcher Co-authorship. SRNML researchers often make significant intellectual or otherwise enabling contributions to the success of a research project, and recognition of these contributions is important. In such cases it is expected that such individual(s) will be included as co-author(s) of all publications arising from or making use of the results obtained by the Core Facility. Significant intellectual input could include any or all of the following:

1. Experimental design such as optimization of sample preparation protocols;
2. Involvement in data collection beyond standard user analytical methods;
3. Interpretation or analysis of results; or
4. Writing or editing significant portions of the manuscript.

In general, it is preferable to discuss the potential for this at the outset of the project, especially when the project involves developmental work rather than repetition of an established procedure. Research advisors should contact the SRNML Director if there is a question about this policy, or about a Core facility staff member’s contribution to a project.

Core facility charges. Please note that service fees are charged for consumable supplies, operating costs, and to maintain and improve each of the core facilities. These service fees are not a substitute for appropriate recognition of the contributions of core lab personnel through ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND/OR co-authorship ON publications.

Reporting Outcomes. Shared instrumentation was acquired through a variety of external sources with internal matching support.  In order to properly document research outcomes made possible by the SRNML, and to enhance the chances of success for future grants to obtain new shared research instrumentation, we need quantitative metrics.  The individual faculty mentors of the users must provide to the SRNML Director an account of any publications (and posters) that included work performed at the SRNML or in collaboration with SRNML personnel. Continued access to SRNML resources is contingent on providing this annual data.  

Reserve equipment and request services through iLab

All researchers internal and external to OU must register and access lab resources through our iLab portal.  Researchers with existing iLab accounts through other facilities should be able to login to our core facility's iLab page with your current account.

The SRNML Startup Guide (PDF) will help lead you through the iLab registration process step-by-step. The iLab help website is a great resource that includes a 'Getting started with iLab' guide.

Using iLab