October 14, 2013
Guidelines for users of the DKFZ NMR facility
The NMR Spectroscopy Analysis Unit of DKFZ (hereafter, “NMR facility”) is overseen
by the research group Cancer Drug Development (G404) headed by Dr. Aubry Miller and
Dr. Nikolas Gunkel and consists of two NMRs, a 600 MHz Bruker Avance II instrument and
a 400 MHz Bruker Avance III instrument. The NMR personnel of the NMR facility consists
of Dr. Aubry Miller, Dr. Karel Klika (Head of NMR), and Ms. Gabi Schwebel (NMR
technician). The NMR Analytics Laboratory is located in Room H2.02.035 (ext. 4544); the
office is located in Room H2.02.079 (ext. 4515). It is an open access facility in that there
are users of the NMR facility who directly acquire their own data on the instruments
(hereafter, “users”). However, such users must first be trained and their level of
competency evaluated by the Head of NMR before permission is granted to access and
use the instruments. Furthermore, users must agree to abide by the following guidelines
and must not exceed their allotted privileges as determined on an individual basis by the
Head of NMR (e.g. with respect to types of experiments conducted, hardware
adjustments, modification of experimental parameters and/or pulse sequences, time of
access to the instruments, etc.).
1)
Users should extend appropriate courtesy and consideration to other users and to the
NMR personnel of the NMR facility. Users should appreciate the fact that the computer
room and preparation areas (and particularly the computer not running an instrument and
the immediate space around it in addition to various drawers and shelves) are the personal
workspaces of the NMR personnel and should be respected. Disturbance of their work also
needs to be minimised (bearing in mind, of course, that consultation on NMR matters is
not considered disturbance). Once a user’s work is finished, or prior to starting, though
users are not mandated to vacate the NMR Analytics Laboratory, they should be mindful of
whether their continuing presence is disruptive or not to the NMR personnel as they do
need to attend to their allotted tasks. (This also applies during the course of acquiring
experimental data.)
October 14, 2013
2)
Currently there is not a booking system in place for the instruments and users should
consult with the Head of NMR as to when they can use the instruments. Users are not
permitted access to the instruments unless they have been given prior permission for
specific times. Collection/transfer of data and other files is best done during the time of
instrument use but with the understanding that for long accumulations (e.g. overnight or
over weekend acquisitions) that data collection/transfer will be done at an appropriate
time. It is preferred that on other occasions, users, for example, re-copying old data or
checking some experimental aspect (i.e. accessing the computer or opening the program
but not actually using the instrument per se) do so only during office hours and when a
member of the NMR personnel is around. Attention to starting time promptness/finishing
time tardiness needs to be considered with respect to current instrument demand; when
demand is low, this is unimportant but thereafter rises accordingly. Users need only
exercise sensible judgement in this respect.
3)
All work spaces/areas that were used should be left clean and tidy after use, this includes
the bench space/fume hood where sample preparation was conducted as well as the
computer room.
4)
The storage of samples can be addressed case-by-case on a needs basis. Sufficient space is
available in both cupboards and fridges/freezers but it is best for users to ask for some
directive first from the NMR personnel. Appropriate labelling of samples is, of course,
mandated: a name, if not on the sample(s) itself, then at least on the container/rack
holding it is the minimum requirement. Abandoned or unlabelled samples will be disposed
of so due care should be taken that nothing precious is lost in this manner.
5)
Users should refrain from installing programs on the computers without the express
permission of the Head of NMR. Users are welcome to access the internet and their email
during the waiting times in the course of their work. Phone calls are also permitted, but it
is polite to ask beforehand (if no one is around, please just call).
6)
Books from the shelves are available for loan. Please notify the NMR personnel before
taking.
7)
All training and evaluation of competency (at the end of training or of prior experience) of
users will be conducted by the Head of NMR. Exceptions to training (i.e. users training
other users) can be exempted by the Head of NMR but permission must be sought and
granted prior to any such training event.
October 14, 2013
8)
Users should not exceed their level of experimental competence and must get the
approval of the Head of NMR before doing anything they haven’t explicitly been given
permission to do on the instruments (e.g. with respect to types of experiments conducted,
hardware adjustments, parameterisation, pulse sequence modification, etc.). Users should
seek the guidance, or request appropriate training, from the Head of NMR when there is a
need to go beyond what they have previously been checked out to do.
9)
Finally, if in any doubt about anything, particularly with respect to potential risks to
hardware (e.g. during variable temperature runs, hardware adjustments, applied power
levels, etc.), please direct queries to the NMR personnel. Users must report any breakages
or problems IMMEDIATELY to the NMR personnel. Do not try to fix it yourself! Please note,
it is not an imposition to contact the Head of NMR outside of hours or during vacation
time, these calls are perfectly understandable and are accepted willingly. It is preferable
that users contact the Head of NMR rather than to risk damage to the instruments no
matter how inconvenient the timing might seem. Contact information will be provided to
users as appropriate.
I, ......................................, (print name) hereby agree to abide by the above guidelines
and agree to accede to all directives of the NMR personnel. I acknowledge that the NMR
instruments are highly sensitive and expensive instruments that must be treated with the
utmost care, and that I will take personal responsibility to treat them in accordance with
these guidelines and training given by the Head of NMR. I also agree not to exceed my
allotted privileges as determined on an individual basis by the Head of NMR (e.g. with
respect to types of experiments conducted, hardware adjustments, modification of
experimental parameters and/or pulse sequences, time of access to the instruments,
etc.).
..................................(date) ................................................. (signature).