Instructions for the use of Biology Preparation Room at SPring-8

1.Purpose

The room is for preparing biological specimens for experiments using synchrotron radiation. Use of this room for other purposes is prohibited.

2.Safety

2a.General

• Rules of SPring-8 must be strictly obeyed.
• Prior to the use of the room, check the location of the closest emergency exits and fire extinguisher.
• In case of emergency (fire, injury or worse) call the guard at the Main Gate (ext. 119) by using the phone in the room. For other safety-related matters contact the Safety Office (ext. 2200).The first-aid kits are located at the entrance to the experimental hall by the D2 and D3 big doors.

2b.Experimental waste (liquid)

• The drain of the sink is connected to the experimental sewage system. The experimental waste and its 1st and 2nd rinses may never be flushed into the sink regardless of their component. If the waste contains heavy metals, neither the waste nor its rinses may be flushed.
• These waste and rinses are to be placed in the designated plastic tanks placed under the desk of water purification system.
• Visiting users must bring their waste back home.
• If you have inadvertently flushed these liquids into the sink, call the Safety Office (ext. 2200) immediately and follow their instructions.

2c.Organic solvents

The use of organic solvents is prohibited in this room. Please use rooms equipped with fumehoods (e.g., Biolology Preparation Room at Biomedical Imaging Center).

2d.Liquid nitrogen, deep freezer

• Only those who have finished the official training course may handle liquid nitrogen in the room.
• Do not handle items cooled to very low temperature with bare hands. Use designated blue gloves especially when you take items in and out of the deep freezer.

3.General rules for using instruments

• Read and understand fully the instruction manuals located next to the centrifuge before use of any instrument (we are sorry that some of the manuals are written in Japanese only).
• There will be no follow-up as to how to use instruments. The user is fully responsible for the damage or loss resulting from his/her failure to follow instructions, neglect, or sabotage.
• If you have used the instrument marked by Log required, such as fumehood, water purification system, centrifuge and spectrophotometer, keep records on the log.
• f you feel something wrong with any of the instruments, stop operating it immediately, leave a note so that other users will not use it, and contact the person in charge（3884）.

4.Disposable items

• Visiting users are expected to bring their own disposable items, such as pipetter tips. Although a small amount of disposable items are stocked in the room, they are for emergency only and do not rely on them.
• When you handle bulk items, be sure to wear plastic gloves.
• If the items in the room are running out of stock, leave a note to alert or contact the person in charge（3884）.

5.Storage of samples, chemicals, etc.

• Samples or chemicals of the users, either staff or visitors, can be temporarily stored in the deep freezer of the refrigerator. The items to be stored should bear a label with the owner’s name and the phone number for contact.
• The person in charge is not responsible for any loss or damage of personal belongings stored or left in the room (including the locker).
• Visiting users must bring their items back home when their beam time is over. Items unknown to the person in charge may be removed.

6.Experiments using live animals, microorganisms, and recombinant DNA experiments

These experiments may not be conducted in the room. Those who wish to conduct these experiments in the campus of SPring-8 should apply the relevant committees (animal experiments , biohazards, and recombinant DNA) and conduct these experiments in the designated area only after they are approved.

7.Washing of glassware, etc

The glassware, spoons, stirrer bars, etc that users have used must be washed with the following procedure.

1. The solution remaining in the glassware is to be placed in the plastic tanks below the table of water purification system, or the bottles the visiting user has brought with him/her. The same applies to the 1st and 2nd rinses.
2. Wash your own hands thoroughly with soap.
3. Scrub the inside and outside of the glassware with the detergent, sponges, and brushes equipped in the room. Rinse with tap water thoroughly. Extra effort is needed to scrub off protein stain.
4. Rinse the inside and outside with DW from the 20L polyethylene tank.
5. Rinse the inside and outside with a small amount of DDW from the 10L polyethylene tank.
6. Shake off the water drops, place the items in the cabinet next to the water purifying system or on the basket cabinet, and let them dry. If drop-shaped stain remains on the surface after drying, the washing has been inadequate. Return to 2) and repeat the whole procedure.

If you have used a large amount of DDW or find only a small amount of DDW in the 10L tank, please replenish it from the Milli-Q Jr. for other users.

If you find a crack in the glassware, do not hesitate to place it in the steel container. A small crack could result in a major injury.

8.Handling of experimental waste (solid)

Visiting users are, whenever possible, expected to bring all their belongings (including waste) back home when their beam time is over.

Rules for experimental waste disposal have been changed. Experimental waste must be sorted according to its nature and placed in the designated container.

1. Combustible experimental waste. This includes wipes or clothes used to wipe chemicals and disposable plastic items (pipetter tips, tubes, beakers, etc). Remove remaining solutions before disposal.
2. Glassware (disposable glass pipettes and broken beakers) Empty bottles which come from manufacturers will be returned for recycling, so do not place them in the container.

Ordinary non-experimental waste must not be placed in these steel containers. It is to be placed in the large plastic trashcans.

9.Cleaning

Clean up the places you used, especially on the experimental table and balances. Sometimes it is noticed that glass capillaries are scattered on the table. They may cause injury. Make sure that the tabletop is free of such potentially hazardous materials.

10.Locker for users

Visiting users may temporarily store their belongings in this locker. The period of storage is restricted to their beam time and the period for preparation. Items stored in the locker should be removed as soon as the beam time is over. Items remaining while the ring is not operated will be removed.

Visiting users have the priority for the use of this locker. Staff may not store their items in this locker indefinitely.

11.Other rules

11a.Removal of items from the room

In principle, the instruments belonging to the room cannot be removed. If it is definitely necessary to remove items temporarily, leave a note bearing your name, destination and the period of removal.

11b.General manners.

Recently the number of people who use the room is increasing, and very often two or more groups use the room at the same time. The space on the experimental table is limited, and the users are requested not to occupy more space than necessary. Make sure that the owner of personal belongings is identified. Otherwise, they may be used by other users.

When you leave the room, the equipment and items you used should be as they were when you entered the room for the first time. Make sure that the glassware has been washed, and the tables and the floor have been cleaned in case of spill. Be reminded that whether other users can do good experiments rests on how you have washed the glassware.

Refrain from actions which may affect the well-beings of other users, such as setting the air conditioner at a very low temperature.