Our facility has both electron and optical microscopes, so the
instrument rooms have to be blacked out. But we are on a sloping site
so one of our largest sample preparation labs does have high windows,
which helps. Other tricks to help the ambience ... we had a large
fish-tank in one of the windowless labs, which did help. But that
wouldn't be compatible with a lab where any bio-hazard or GM work is
done. Also, we have a common room one floor up where there are windows
and facilities to make tea and coffee. All users are welcome there and
it is a boon when you are doing long sessions of sample prep.
Guy
Optical Imaging Techniques in Cell Biology
by Guy Cox CRC Press / Taylor & Francis
http://www.guycox.com/optical.htm
______________________________________________
Associate Professor Guy Cox, MA, DPhil(Oxon)
Electron Microscope Unit, Madsen Building F09,
University of Sydney, NSW 2006
______________________________________________
Phone +61 2 9351 3176 Fax +61 2 9351 7682
Mobile 0413 281 861
______________________________________________
http://www.guycox.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Shawn Galdeen
Sent: Tuesday, 27 October 2009 5:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Windows
These comments bring up a question I've long had regarding the
intersection between the practice of microscopy and the business of
running an imaging facility: Windows -- not the OS, but the objects
themselves.
It seems to me that one way to encourage return visits to a facility is
by providing an environment that users find inviting, or at least
not frightening. One easy way to do this is to have analysis areas
or main lab spaces that are windowed. However, every room with windows
is one that is necessarily restricted in terms of function (as Craig and
Ammasi mention). While I understand that scientific concerns are
paramount and questions of ambience should not matter, I've had more
than one experience where users have told me that they would not return
to a facility because it was 'too depressing'. Some may argue that what
is depressing is their commitment to their projects, but we have little
choice concerning motivation.
I don't know that there's a right or wrong answer to windows in a
facility, but could some of you with more experience comment on the net
benefit/cost? It would help me (and hopefully others) when thinking
about such designs in future.
Thanks,
Shawn
Shawn Galdeen, Ph.D.
Research Support Specialist
Bio-Imaging Resource Center
Rockefeller University
1230 York Ave.
New York, New York 10065
212.327.7487
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------
On Oct 26, 2009, at 2:19 PM, Craig Brideau wrote:
If you have control over the construction/renovation of the room; don't
put windows in it!
Craig
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 12:15 PM, Periasamy, Ammasi (ap3t)
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello
> I always prefer the basement for microscopy facility. In the basement
> or ground floor you will not have floor vibration issue and also it
> provides light proof if you would like to do lifetime imaging.
> Otherwise, you have to hang curtains, etc., to cover the light leak.
> First floor is ok, all other floors are not ok because of vibration of
> the floor if someone hammer the wall the confocal scanner will go
> crazy.
> Right now our center is in the ground floor (13 years) and we are
> planning to move to the new building ( more space!!)in the basement in
> another two years.
> You may miss the daylight but it's good for the microscope system if
> it is protected well regarding all the water leaks, etc.
> Hope this helps.
>
> Ammasi Periasamy, Ph.D.
> Director, Keck Center for Cellular Imaging (KCCI) Professor of Biology
> and Biomedical Engineering Biology, Gilmer Hall (064), McCormick Rd
> University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA 22904
> Voice: 434-243-7602 (Office); 982-4869 (lab) Fax:434-982-5210;
> Email:[log in to unmask] http://www.kcci.virginia.edu
> ************************
> Workshop on FRET Microscopy, March 9-13, 2010
> http://www.kcci.virginia.edu/workshop/workshop2010/index.php
> *************************
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