Almost there!
We are just a few weeks away from being open for business. Most of our testing has concluded and Varian is finishing up with the last of their remaining issues. So now is the time to finish up your proposals and get them to us for approval. If you require some notice to prepare samples and/or travel arrangements, make a note on your application and we will contact you for scheduling. Otherwise we will start scheduling users from day 1.
There have also been some inquiries during our testing phase that I would like to share with everyone:
Q: What sequences do you have available for immediate use?
A: We have the BioPack suite of sequences installed and tested. We have optimized parameter sets for these experiments available as a starting point for initial work on the 900. We also have tested sequences from Lewis Kay's library, but many of these have been optimized for large deuterated molecules and do not work as well with our ubiquitin test sample. These sequences will be available for users by request. All other "in-house" sequences must be pre-screened before being used on the 900.
Q: What is your policy on remote operation?
A: Currently we are not allowing remote operation. Initially we would like all users to visit the facility and go through our orientation program before using the spectrometer. After this initial visit we will consider remote operation applications.
Q: When will the cold probe become available?
A: We have a salt-tolerant cold probe on order from Varian. The current delivery target for the probe is in May. We hope to have the probe installed and tested by the end of the summer, but it is too far in advance to make any specific estimates.
Q: What is the cost for spectrometer time?
A: We are still covered by the NIH grant for the system, so initial costs will reflect our facility expenses only. We have not yet worked out an exact number, but we expect to charge a similar fee as the current cost for the 800 facility in Boulder (approximately $4 an hour).
Q: How much spectrometer time can I request?
A: We are anticipating offering substantial blocks of time to our users so that multiple or long experiments can be run. The actual amount of time will depend on demand, but it is possible that time requests up to 2 weeks long may be accommodated.
I hope this addresses some of your questions, if you have any other inquiries please do not hesitate to ask me and I will do my best to address them. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
There have also been some inquiries during our testing phase that I would like to share with everyone:
Q: What sequences do you have available for immediate use?
A: We have the BioPack suite of sequences installed and tested. We have optimized parameter sets for these experiments available as a starting point for initial work on the 900. We also have tested sequences from Lewis Kay's library, but many of these have been optimized for large deuterated molecules and do not work as well with our ubiquitin test sample. These sequences will be available for users by request. All other "in-house" sequences must be pre-screened before being used on the 900.
Q: What is your policy on remote operation?
A: Currently we are not allowing remote operation. Initially we would like all users to visit the facility and go through our orientation program before using the spectrometer. After this initial visit we will consider remote operation applications.
Q: When will the cold probe become available?
A: We have a salt-tolerant cold probe on order from Varian. The current delivery target for the probe is in May. We hope to have the probe installed and tested by the end of the summer, but it is too far in advance to make any specific estimates.
Q: What is the cost for spectrometer time?
A: We are still covered by the NIH grant for the system, so initial costs will reflect our facility expenses only. We have not yet worked out an exact number, but we expect to charge a similar fee as the current cost for the 800 facility in Boulder (approximately $4 an hour).
Q: How much spectrometer time can I request?
A: We are anticipating offering substantial blocks of time to our users so that multiple or long experiments can be run. The actual amount of time will depend on demand, but it is possible that time requests up to 2 weeks long may be accommodated.
I hope this addresses some of your questions, if you have any other inquiries please do not hesitate to ask me and I will do my best to address them. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
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