Meakins-Christie Laboratories Orientation Document:
For all new and current staff and trainees (Updated: Sept 2021).
All new trainees and staff MUST meet with Séverine for a lab tour and orientation.
Table of Contents
General Info & Admin FAQ
- History and Who We Are
- About the RI-MUHC and the RESP Research Program
- Official Logos
- Investigators and Research Interests
- Administrative Staff & Office Hours
- Three main sources of Info
- I am a new student in the lab, who do I need to see?
- How do I get an ID access card?
- How do I get access to the RI-Portal?
- How do I get access to a RI-MUHC computer & common fax/printer?
- How do I get access to the RESP/Meakins server?
- How do I access the WIFI?
- How do I get access to a desk and a locker?
- How do I book a conference room?
- How do I make a phone call/fax?
- How do I send mail?
- How do I access Logibec for time reporting?
Health & Safety
- Questions or issues regarding Health and Safety
- Laboratory Safety and Biosafety Manual
- Health & Safety Training
- What safety courses do I need to pass?
- How do I register for safety training courses?
- Who do I call in case of an emergency?
- Emergency Codes
- Incidents and Accidents
- Basic Biosafety Rules
- Biosafety: Food, Drinks & Personal Effects
- Waste Management
- Radioactive Waste Disposal
- Biohazard Waste Disposal
Meakins-Christie Laboratories & RESP Program Common Facilities
The Meakins-Christie Laboratories house a wide variety of facilities and equipment. Most of the equipment within the RESP program is shared and can be used by all staff and students provided training requirements are met. Specific policies and restrictions may apply on some sensitive and valuable piece of equipment.
For all questions and issues regarding equipment, see Séverine Audusseau. Issues with equipment covered by the RI-MUHC can be directly addressed to Biomedical Engineering Team at ri.biomed@muhc.ca
DESCRIPTION/ROOM NUMBER | LIST OF EQUIPMENT | RESOURCE PERSON |
---|---|---|
Flow Cytometry Core E03.2054 | BD FACS Canto II, BD FACS Fortessa X-20, BD Accuri C6 TO READ Policies: Flow Cytometry Policy | Victoria Zismanov Irah King |
Imaging Room E03.4037 | Olympus upright and inverted epifluorescence and Brightfield microscope (BX50, BX51, IX) equipped with cameras and image acquisition software (ImagePro), Zeiss AxioImager M2 scanning upright epifluorescent microscope, Nikon multihead upright microscope | Séverine Audusseau Dominique Mayaki Laurent Huck |
Culture Room E03.4047 | Biological Safety Cabinets (4), CO2 incubators (10), Centrifuge, Water bath, Vortex, Nikon inverted Fluorescent microscope, Thermo and Shandon Cytocentrifuge (2), Beckman Coulter Act Diff cell coulter | Séverine Audusseau Victoria Zismanov Andrea Mogas |
Centrifuge Room E03.2431 | Several large capacity low speed floor centrifuge, Beckman Coulter Medium and High speed floor Centrifuge, Ice Machine, Perkin-Elmer Beta Scintillation Counter, Labconco Centrivap concentrator | Séverine Audusseau Andrea Mogas |
General Equipment Room E03.4073 | Tecan multimode plate plate reader, Biorad Digital Droplet PCR, Biorad Chemidoc XP, Biorad 96-well PCR system C1000, GE Cary Eclipse Fluorescent Spectrophotometer | Séverine Audusseau Andrea Mogas |
Autoclave & Dishwasher Room E03.2074 | Steris Glass washer, BMT Sterivap Autoclave, Labconco Acid resistant Centrivap concentrator, Labconco Freezer dryer, Oven, Microwave Standard Operational Procedures for Autoclaves | Séverine Audusseau |
Freezers Rooms E03.2138, E03.2140, E03.2144 | -80°C freezers (22) including back-up freezers (2) and -150°C freezer (1) | Séverine Audusseau |
Cold Rooms E03.2425 and E03.4435 | Storage racks and tables, various rockers, tubes rotators | Séverine Audusseau |
Equipment Available at the Meakins-Christie Laboratories
EQUIPMENT & MODEL | EQUIPMENT AND DETAILS | LOCATION | RESOURCE PERSON |
---|---|---|---|
Ventana Discovery Ultra | Automated Immunostaining system Applications: ICC, IFI, ISH, FISH | E03.4141 | Andrea Mogas Séverine Audusseau |
Scireq Flexivent System | Animal Lung Function Measurement Apparatus | ARD S2 | Toby McGovern |
Scireq InExpose System | Small Animal Inhalation Exposure system | ARD S2 | Hussein Traboulsi |
Miltenyi Biotec Gentle MACS Dissociator | Cell Dissociator / Homogenizer | E03.2371 | Erwan Pernet Victoria Zismanov |
ABI 7500 Fast ABI 7500 ABI StepOne Plus Biorad CFX96 | Real-Time PCR machine Real-Time PCR machine Real-Time PCR machine Real-Time PCR machine | E03.4135 E03.2144+E03.4361 E03.4150+E03.4134 E03.4150+E03.4134 | Ekaterina Gusev Andrea Mogas Isabelle Angers Dominique Mayaki Véronique Gaudreault Melissa Gaudet Erwan Pernet |
Minip 2500 | PCR plate centrifuge | E03.4134 | Andrea Mogas |
Zeiss LSM 700 | Confocal Microscope | E03.2158 | Geoffrey McKay |
Olympus IX-71 Live Cell Imaging system | Inverted epi-fluorescent microscope equipped with CO2 chamber and camera | E03.2158 | Carolyne Baglole Séverine Audusseau |
Luminex Magpix | Magnetic bead based analyser for multiplexing quantitative and qualitative measurements | E03.4134 | Andrea Mogas |
GE Typhoon FLA 9500 | Laser scanner, high resolution imaging of multifluorescent-, chemifluorescent-, radioisotope-labeled, and colorimetric samples on gels, blots… | E03.4073 | Séverine Audusseau |
Aplegen Omegalum C | Gel Documentation system Fluorescence and Chemiluminescence Imaging | E03.2144 | Isabelle Angers |
Agilent SeaHorse XFe96 | Mitochondria Metabolism Measurement system (OCR and ECAR of live cells in a 96-well plate format) | E03.4150 | Séverine Audusseau |
Leica CM1950 | Cryostat (automated) | E03.4125 | Ekaterina Gusev Séverine Audusseau |
Microm HM505E | Cryostat (manual) | E03.4149 | Séverine Audusseau |
Leica RM2235 | Microtome (manual) | E03.4142 | Séverine Audusseau |
Waters 2695 HPLC | HPLC equipped with Fluorescent and UV detectors | E03.4380 | Séverine Audusseau |
Equipment Booking: Team-Up Calendar and Logbook
Team-Up calendars
Common equipment must be booked, using a web based electronic TeamUp calendar. To book for an equipment use, the following information is mandatory: user full name, PI and phone number (or email address). Non-authorized users reservations or booking with incomplete information will be cancelled.
⇒ Go to https://meakinsmcgill.com/info/ to get access to the TeamUp booking calendars
Equipment Logbook
For some equipment use (e.g. microscope, flow cytometer), a logbook must be filled by all users.
Planon, Equipment Repairs & Technical Service Requests
PLANON if a platform available through the RI-Portal or on your smartphone.
⇒ Go to RI-Portal > Fast Track (on the right hand side App Menu) > PLANON
- Planon keeps an inventory of all RI-MUHC equipment
- Used for generating requests, maintenance and repairs of equipment and infrastructure
There are 2 types of requests:
Infrastructure Requests
e.g. for the RI-MUHC building, electricity, plumbing, space requests, dead battery on lab doors, etc…
Biomedical Requests
e.g. laboratory equipment; note, there are 2 types of equipment: LABORATORY owned equipment and COMMON RESP PROGRAM equipment
Who can do a request?
Lab Manager
Your lab manager can do an Infrastructure Request and a Biomedical Request ONLY IF the equipment is owned by your LAB (i.e. the equipment does not have an RI tag)
Meakins Lab Coordinator (Séverine)
For major infrastructure requests and all RI-MUHC COMMON equipment and all RESP SHARED equipment requests
What is the difference between RI-MUHC COMMON and RESP SHARED Equipment?
⇒ For quick troubleshooting, or with help to identify an equipment category, please contact Séverine.
RI-MUHC Common Equipment
All RI-MUHC equipment is identified with a tag (RI-####) and a QR code. RI-MUHC equipment is located in common equipment rooms, shared alcoves, or in lab modules.
RESP Program Shared Equipment
RESP shared equipment is owned by the Meakins-Christie Laboratories (e.g. Luminex, Countess, Cytation, qPCR, Chemidoc, Fortessa)). RESP shared equipment is defined as equipment regularly used by more than 5 groups.
How do I use the Planon app?
The Planon App can be accessed by the RI-Portal or be downloaded on your smartphone. On your smartphone, you can simply scan the room number or asset tag and submit and follow your requests from your smartphone.
⇒ Download the Planon (Business) application > log into Planon on the RI portal > add ticket after the .com/ in your internet browser > scan the QR code that will appear on your screen
RI-MUHC CTB Technology Platforms
The RI-MUHC houses 9 technology platforms that provide state-of-the-art instruments, cutting-edge techniques and consultative services.
⇒ For general information, visit the http://rimuhc.ca/technology-platforms or go to RI portal ˃ Resources > Technology Platforms
⇒ For Technology Platform Service interface, go to RI portal ˃ iLab
Animal Facility
The Animal Resources Division provides professional and technical support to investigators, staff and students. The facilities are fully compliant with the recommendations established by the Canadian Council on Animal Care and the Facility Animal Care Committee. Before starting any research work involving animals, staff and students are required to undergo the following training steps:
- Online Theoritical Course
- Biomethodology Workshops
- Vivarium Orientation Session
⇒ For general Information, go to RI portal ˃ Research >
⇒ For Animal Care Division Service interface, go to RI portal ˃ Research > Darwin
Questions or issues regarding Health and Safety?
⇒ Consult RI portal ˃ Resources > Health and Safety
? Contact your Lab coordinator Séverine Audusseau or the RI-MUHC Health&Safety division
Laboratory Safety and Biosafety Manual
⇒ https://www.mcgill.ca/ehs/files/ehs/biosafety_manual_ehs-sman-001_v1.pdf
⇒ https://www.mcgill.ca/ehs/laboratory/lab-safety-manual
What Safety Courses do I need to pass?
MANDATORY TRAINING COURSES FOR ALL LABORATORY PERSONAL AND STUDENTS
Introduction to Emergency Measures*
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Biosafety Principles
Hazardous Waste Disposal*
*The information dispensed in this course is site dependent and must be taken at the Glen.
Other safety training might be required depending of the type of laboratory work you are conducting
- Biological Safety Cabinets Training
- Radiation Safety Training
- Laser Safety Training
How do I register for safety training courses?
At the RI-MUHC:
⇒ Go to RI portal ˃ Resources > Health and Safety > Safety Training
⇒ Select the safety training and click on REGISTER HERE
At McGill University
(free for all McGill staff and students), go to:
⇒ https://www.mcgill.ca/ehs/training
Who do I call in case of emergency?
For all emergencies call extension 55555
For technical services ext. 76000 or pager 24/7 at 514-406-2398
For housekeeping ext. 23456
Emergency Codes
Incidents and Accidents
All accidents, dangerous incidents and occupational diseases, however minor, must be reported immediately to your supervisor and the laboratory coordinator, Séverine Audusseau.
The supervisor or his/her delegate must complete the RI-MUHC Incident and Accident report form
⇒ Go to RI portal ˃ Resources ˃ Health & Safety ˃ Forms ˃ Incident_accident_report,_vE_2010[1].pdf
Quick reminder of Basic Biosafety Rules
Lab attire and Personal Protective Equipment:
When working in a laboratory, remember to wear appropriate attire and the necessary personal protective equipment. Whenever present in the lab, everyone must wear a closed lab coat, closed shoes, has tighten long hair and wear Personal Protective Equipment when required (gloves, safety glasses, respirator mask, ear plugs, face shield…)
Lab coats are available at the entrance of the section E03.2000. Ask your lab manager for the other safety supplies.
Keep in mind that you must ensure proper skin coverage at all times: short pants, short skirts, capri pants and open shoes or sandals are not allowed in the laboratories.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
PPE are restricted to laboratories: do not wear lab coat and gloves outside of the laboratories. Do not wear gloves on entrance door handles, computer keyboard, computer mouse, elevator buttons…
Food, Drinks and Personal Effects
Food, drinks and personal effects are not allowed in any of the laboratories areas (including desk spaces). A large cabinet dedicated to short term storage of bottles and cups is available in the hallway, in front of the elevator.
Personal effects such as jackets and bags can not be kept in the lab. Use the lockers and the student rooms to keep your personal effect. If used in the lab, a personal laptop must be used on a desk space and never on a lab working counter.
Waste Management
Chemical waste disposal
Empty plastic waste containers are provided by Environmental Health and Safety during the chemical waste disposal Chemical waste disposal occurs every Wednesday at 14:00 in room ES2.0405. An appointment must be made by email to ri.ehs@much.mcgill.ca at the latest on the Tuesday before the disposal date. If there is no appointment request, the chemical waste disposal for that week is cancelled.
? For any questions regarding waste disposal or waste segregation, please contact Mihaela Cucu at mihaela.cucu @ muhc.mcgill.ca
RULES FOR LABELLING AND PACKAGING CHEMICAL WASTE
- Identify each waste container clearly with below information: Principal investigator(s) name, each component name as it appears on the Safety Data Sheet, concentration or percentage
No abbreviations. No chemical formula. Do not use bags with a Biohazard symbol for chemical waste disposal. - Package waste safely for transportation (use leak-proof plastic bag inside a cardboard box, as needed). Waste containers will be returned to laboratory if they are unlabeled, damaged, leaking, etc.
Radioactive Waste Disposal
? For any questions regarding radioactive waste disposal contact Mohammed Lounis at mohammed.lounis @ muhc.mcgill.ca or Malika Messaouli at malika.messaouli @ muhc.mcgill.ca
Biohazard Waste Disposal
QUICK GUIDE – BIOHAZARD WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Non-Sharp Biohazard Waste
- must be discarded in biohazard grey containers (with yellow bag)
- Biohazard grey bins are strictly dedicated for solid biohazardous material disposal. Non contaminated paper and plastic wrapping, tubes and boxes must not be discarded in these bins, but in regular garbage.
- All flasks, dishes and plates must be emptied prior being discarded into the grey garbage bin.
- When ¾ full, the biohazard grey container must be changed by the users, by tying a knot to the bag, closing the lid and moving the closed box to the corridor.
- New grey bins are always available at the entrance of the main the corridors; if not, contact Séverine Audusseau or the logistic division of the RI-MUHC at ext. 37470.
Sharps Biohazard Waste
- must go to red sharps plastic containers.
- Sharp container are strictly dedicated to sharp biohazard material disposal.
- When full the sharp container must be closed and deposited into a grey biohazard container. Do not leave sharp containers for disposal in the corridors.
- The sharp containers are provided only for users of the common cell culture. You can find some under the table, if boxes are missing, there is a stock in room E03.2074.
Biohazard Liquid Waste
- Most of common biohazard liquid waste generated in cell culture work such as blood, liquid culture medium and serum
- Aspirate the liquid out of the culture vessels or the tubes or add bleach directly onto the liquids. Use not less than 1% bleach and allow at least 30min contact. Note that commercial bleach is usually 4 to 12% solution.
- Discard in the sink. Rinse the sink by running tap water.
- Bleach is provided only for users of the cell culture room and flow cytometry platform: you can find some in the cabinets.
Three Main Sources of Info
Please check the following three sources of information. If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for, please see the Meakins administrative staff during their office hours.
- The RI-MUHC portal at http://researchportal.muhc.mcgill.ca/
- The Trainee Handbook available on the portal under Resources ˃ Desjardins Centre for Advanced Training
- The Meakins-Christie Laboratories website at https://meakinsmcgill.com/
Office Hours
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
1:30-3:30PM
For urgent matters outside these office hours, please contact Jacqueline, Maria or Linda by email and they will respond to you immediately. For McGill related questions, please see Maria or Jacqueline. For RI-MUHC related questions, please see Linda.
Severine: For any questions about laboratory equipment, techniques or any emergencies
Inga: For any questions on the RESP program, funding, scholarships and seminars
I am a new student joining the lab, who do I need to see?
- Please see Maria, Linda and Jacqueline on EM3.2219 or ext 76172 to receive all appropriate paperwork
- Make sure all your contact information entered into our DATABASE is accurate (email, supervisor, degree)
- Go see Séverine Audusseau on EM2.2221 or ext. 76335 for a tour of the labs and to receive information about all laboratory equipment and procedures
How do I get an ID access card?
⇒ On the RI Portal, go to HR Center ˃ General Information ˃ ID Cards
? Any issue with ID access card can be addressed to ri.ts@muhc.mcgill.ca
? Resource Persons: Linda (for RI-MUHC paid personnel), Maria (for McGill paid personnel)
How do I get access to the RI-portal?
⇒ Go to RI portal ˃ Click on Request a Login
Your supervisor has to authorize your request. If your supervisor is unavailable, specify who can authorize your request in the “Comments” section (i.e lab manager, administrative assistant, program manager). Remember to include the contact info (email/extension) for this person.
? Resource Persons: PI, supervisor, lab manager, Administrative Assistants (Linda, Maria)
How do I get access to a RI-MUHC computer and the common fax/photocopier?
RI-MUHC connected computers are available in lab modules and in meeting rooms. The computers are accessed with a RI-MUHC domain username and password. All-in-one Printer/Fax/Scanner/Photocopier machines are available in room EM2.2205 and EM3.2205 and linked to your RI-MUHC domain account. To get access to these services, you must have access to the RI portal and place an IT rescue:
⇒ Go to RI portal ˃ IT Rescue ˃ Click on Create New Request
- In the request, include the following: “I am a new student/staff in XX’s lab. I would like to be assigned a RI-MUHC domain username and password to access the RI-MUHC computers.” You will be assigned a username. The default password is Passw0rd. You will be prompted to change this password the first time you try to log into a RI-MUHC computer. Your password will expire every 4 months and will have to be reset.
- If you would like to access the common fax/photocopier, select “to access multifunctional printer/scanner/fax machine”. Include the following in the comments section: “I would like to have access to the EM2.2205/EM3.2205 photocopier. The 5 digits on the back of my ID card are XXXXX.” IT will need the 5 numbers on the back of your card that appear after the * as well as your PI’s cost center as this is the account where your copies are charged.
- Once access is granted, you will have to install the printer drive on your computer. Click on RUN at the bottom left on your computer screen. Type \\172.17.248.10. Open the printer network and double click the correct room and install the printer drive.
- You can also request to have the EM2 or EM3 printer drivers installed on the lab computers. Place an IT rescue as above and IT will send you the instructions.
? Resource Persons: Your PI is the Approver of your IT request. If your PI is unavailable, the approver may be the lab manager or the administrative assistants. Include their contact information in the “comments” section of the IT rescue if needed.
? Any issue with computer or printer access can be addressed to ri.it@muhc.mcgill.ca or by placing a new IT rescue
Each lab is responsible for ordering paper for their own printers or lab printer.
How do I get access to the RESP/Meakins server?
Each laboratory is assigned a fixed amount of space on the RI-MUHC server. This includes a secured lab folder as well as a secured folder for each PI. The available space is 100G for group, unless otherwise requested by the PI. The server is intended to be used by CURRENT trainees and staff to save data from ongoing research projects. Old data from past students must be removed and backed up on an external hard drive. Data is backed up daily.
⇒ Go to RI portal ˃ IT Rescue ˃ Click on Create New Request
- You must be assigned a RI-MUHC domain username and password to access the Meakins server. If you do not have this, follow the steps described above.
- In the IT rescue, include the following: “I am XX from XX’s lab. My RI-MUHC domain username is XX. I would like to have access to the secure LAB folder for my lab on the RESP server.”
? Resource Persons: Your PI is the Approver of your IT request. If your PI is unavailable, the approver may be the lab manager. Include their contact information in the “comments” section of the IT rescue if needed. Please see Inga Murawski if you have any questions about the server.
- Once you are assigned a RI-MUHC domain username and password, the Meakins server must be mapped under your profile. Log into the RI-MUHC computer > Right click on This PC/My Computer > Map Network Drive > Type \\rimuhc.local\fileshare\resp > Input your RI-MUHC domain username as rimuhc\UN and your PW
? If you have requested access to the Meakins server and are having trouble connecting, please see Inga Murawski
How do I get access to the WIFI?
RI McGill Wi-Fi Network
Network name: CUSM-MUHC.MCGILL.CA
Username: your McGill e-mail and password
Public Wi-Fi Network
Network name: CUSM-MUHC-PUBLIC
Username: public
Password: wifi
How do I get access to a desk and a locker?
Trainees
To be assigned a desk in the student room (EM2.2510 or EM3.2510), the trainees must see Jacqueline Brown (EM3.2219). A 20$ deposit is required, which will be refunded upon key return. Undergraduate students, visiting fellows, volunteers and summer students are not eligible to be assigned a desk; however, they can use the common tables available in the student room.
All students have access to the blue lockers in the student room. They must provide their own padlock and write their name and PI on the locker door. They may be asked to share a locker if needed.
Employees
Laboratory employees are not eligible for a desk in the student room or an office, but are assigned workspace in the laboratory modules. All RI-MUHC employees have access to share a locker on ES1.
⇒ Go to RI portal ˃ HR Centre > HR Forms > Locker Request form (under Other Forms)
How do I book a conference room?
⇒ For RI-MUHC conference rooms: Go to RI portal ˃ Room Reservations ˃ Room reservation software
⇒ For MUHC conference rooms: Go to ORBS McGill to book the room http://orbs.muhc.mcgill.ca/
⇒ The McConnell Resource Centre (BRC.0078) is a quiet environment if you are looking for a place to study or write.
Remember to cancel all bookings that you will not use. Conference room space is limited and you are required to liberate the room if you do not plan on using it. The CONFERENCE ROOMS ARE NOT TO BE USED AS STUDY ROOMS NOR FOR THESIS WRITING. If you are found to be using a conference room for this purpose, you may be asked to leave. Admin staff are not responsible for student and staff room bookings. All booking must be managed through the RI portal.
How do I make a phone call or fax?
- Internal: Dial the 5 digit extension of the person you wish to reach
- Local: Dial 9 + area code + number
- Long Distance: Dial 79 +1 + area code + # > after the tone, dial your 6 digit long distance code
- Faxing: local fax dial (area code + fax number) Long distance fax (US) dial (1+area code + fax number +***+ long distance code) Oversees dial (011 + country code + fax number + ***+ long distance code) Our fax number is: 514-933-3962 located on EM3.
⇒ If you do not have a long distance code, go to RI portal ˃ IT Rescue and place a request providing a cost center for the phone call charges. The request must be approved by your PI.
How do I send mail?
- Our mail drop point is EM3.2219 (by our middle admin desk on EM3). Outgoing mail may be placed in the basket at this location.
- Mail boxes for incoming mail are located by the EM3 student room.
? Resource Person: Meakins Administrative Staff (Maria, Linda, Jacqueline)
How do I access Logibec for time reporting?
All employees must report their time via the LOGIBEC application in order to be paid. Employee timesheets are approved by Time Reporters who then submit the timesheets for payroll processing. The Meakins time reporter is Linda Karpowicz. New RI MUHC Employees: Your Logibec username and password AND your RI Portal username and password will be emailed to you 2 weeks after your HR Orientation Session. The first pay period will be approved by your time-reporter.
⇒ To find the location of all available Logibec workstations. Log into the RI portal > HR Centre > Payroll
⇒ Please log onto the Logibec workstations using these credentials: User name: riglen Password: riglen
? For any questions regarding these workstations please contact: ri.it@muhc.mcgill.ca
Details of how payroll works, how to complete a timesheet as well as contact information can be found on RI-MUHC Portal . Go to the “Fast Track” section on the Home Page and click on the Logibec eEspresso link.
Meakins-Christie Events and Activities
A variety of events are hosted and organized by the Meakins Christie Laboratories throughout the year, including weekly research seminars, meetings and workshops, weekly work-in-progress, a monthly Journal Club with RECRU and clinical fellows and trainees, an Annual Research Day, RECRU Seminars, and Annual Memorial Lectures including the Macklem Lecture, Christie Lecture, and Seymour Heisler Lecture.
⇒ Go to https://meakinsmcgill.com/ > Events to see all our activities and events
Official Logos
Meakins-Christie Logo
RI-MUHC Logo