Staying on track – Keeping things running in a high‐end scientific imaging core facility

Abstract

Modern life science research is a collaborative effort. Few research groups can single‐handedly support the necessary equipment, expertise and personnel needed for the ever‐expanding portfolio of technologies that are required across multiple disciplines in today's life science endeavours. Thus, research institutes are increasingly setting up scientific core facilities to provide access and specialised support for cutting‐edge technologies. Maintaining the momentum needed to carry out leading research while ensuring high‐quality daily operations is an ongoing challenge, regardless of the resources allocated to establish such facilities. Here, we outline and discuss the range of activities required to keep things running once a scientific imaging core facility has been established. These include managing a wide range of equipment and users, handling repairs and service contracts, planning for equipment upgrades, renewals, or decommissioning, and continuously upskilling while balancing innovation and consolidation.

Strategies for selecting and managing equipment in a light microscopy facility

“…When considering the equipment selection process, it is helpful to think about the entire lifecycle of the instrument: demo, pursuit, installation, ramp-up, steady-state, wind-down and de-commissioning (Figure 1, see also Ref. 7). Equipment demos are an essential way to learn about new technologies and a useful way to gauge the scientific interests and needs of the facility user base.…”