Contact STEM Staff

A new STEM project is typically initiated by a conversation, by phone or e-mail, with members of the STEM group (see Contacts). If it sounds like an appropriate STEM project, it can be scheduled. Link to our Fee-for-Service Memorandum for a full description of our service to users. Depending on the project and the investigator's interest and background, different approaches are available and appropriate. Usually, users send their samples by overnight express and have the data sent electronically to them to analyze. They then decide what further experiments are needed.

Some users like to be present when the data are taken to help decide, on the spot, what is good and what is bad. Other users prefer us to analyze the data. In all cases, the STEM facility is acknowledged. The staff might be co-authors on publications depending on the degree of our scientific contribution to the project (usually negotiated in advance).

Send Frozen Specimen

Send specimens at prearranged times by overnight express. Frozen specimens, preferably in aliquots, to be thawed and used once are our preference. This is not always appropriate since some samples cannot be frozen. Unfrozen specimens, on wet ice, are often necessary. If it has been arranged, we can make grids on the day the samples arrive. The grids are stored under liquid nitrogen (stable for years) until they are freeze-dried overnight in preparation for visualizing them in the microscope. Some users routinely send fresh fractions from new preparations for us to prepare STEM specimens immediately. The freshest specimens usually give the best STEM results.

Provide Project Outline

We ask our users to write a brief description of the biological background of the project including other biochemical results and any relevant publications. It is also helpful to indicate why the STEM is important to the proposed project. Various NIH program managers have indicated a willingness to supplement existing grants with rapid response in order to cover unexpected expenses for STEM use.

Guests, Visitors, Logistics

If we know in advance (to notify the gate house), a US citizen can obtain a one-day pass to visit the STEM. All non-citizen STEM users visiting the facility must have a guest appointment. Visitors need to complete the BNL on-line Guest Registration form so that we can arrange your guest appointment and site access. Make sure to use Microsoft Internet Explorer and to select the Biology Department for the "department to be assigned". If you are not a US citizen, approval can take several months. Housing is available on site, ranging from dormitories to the guest house. For information about accommodations, transportation, as well as area maps please consult the BNL Visitor Information pages.

Updated 4 Oct 2007	Security Notice   Webteam   Site Map   STEM   Biology   BNL