General Information
Please acknowledge the SIP core facility ( RRID: SCR_018986) in publications, on posters, or in talks if you use any instruments in the SIP core facility. Please include SIP's RRID (RRID: SCR_018986) and the grant numbers for instruments funded through instrumentation grants in your acknowledgements. This is a requirement from the funding agencies and is crucial for future funding. Find example text on theor the individual instrument pages.
🧪 New Users
Getting Started with SIP
Interested users are encouraged to contact Dr. Erbse, Director of the Shared Instruments Pool (SIP), to discuss their project or experiment during the planning phase.
📞 Early consultation helps ensure the best fit between research goals and available instrumentation.
This initial conversation enables prospective users to:
🎯 Determine whether the chosen instrument(s) or method(s) are suitable for achieving their goals
⚙️ Consider any experimental or instrumental constraints during the design of the experiment
💬 Consultation is free of charge.
We welcome all inquiries and are happy to help you explore how SIP can support your research.
🧑🔬 Training
Required for All New Users
Prospective users must receive hands-on training from facility staff before they are permitted to use any instrument independently.
⚠️ This applies to both specialized instruments and basic infrastructure like centrifuges.
🚫 Authorized Personnel Only
Training cannot be conducted by another lab member, colleague, or peer unless explicitly authorized by SIP staff.
🧪 Sample-Based Training
Where possible and appropriate, training will be conducted using the user’s actual samples.
This allows users to:
- Gain preliminary data during training
- Receive real-time support with troubleshooting and optimization
📋 Pre-Training Meeting
An initial meeting is required to discuss:
- Sample preparation
- Experimental requirements
- Instrumental constraints
📞 Contact SIP staff to set up training:
How to Reserve Instrument Time
🧪 Biophysical/Biochemical Methods Instruments
Trained users, approved to use specific instruments independently, will be granted access to instrument-specific Google Calendars to sign up for instrument time.
🖥️ Basic Research Infrastructure Instruments
JSCBB users can sign up for basic research infrastructure instruments using the university’s EMS scheduling system.
📘 Step-by-step instructions on how to book time through EMS can be found here:
⏱️ Booking Etiquette
Users should only book the time they require.
🚫 Booking “just in case” is not permitted.
If plans change, users must update their booking as early as possible, as others may be waiting for available instrument time.
📌 High-Use Instruments
For certain high-use instruments, there are specific sign-up rules.
These will be explained during training, and detailed guidelines are available on the individual instrument pages.
💰 SIP Cost Structure
SIP’s cost model is designed to keep expenses low for all user groups while sustaining the high quality of our instruments and support. It is built for fairness and affordability.
🧪 What SIP Offers
SIP is a cornerstone of research infrastructure at CU, offering:
- 🛠️ A diverse, well-maintained pool of instruments ranging from essential lab tools (e.g., high-speed and ultracentrifuges, sonicators, and more) to cutting-edge biochemical and biophysical technologies for characterizing macromolecules, complexes, and reactions.
- 👩🔬 Expert, comprehensive support from SIP staff, starting with project planning and detailed experimental design to training, troubleshooting, optimization, and data evaluation.
This combination of access and expertise ensures that researchers can pursue high-quality science without the overhead of managing complex instrumentation themselves.
📊 Rates
Tiered Flat-Fee System
User groups are classified annually into four usage tiers—🟢 very low, 🔵 low, 🟠 moderate, and 🔴 heavy—based on instrument usage. Each group contributes a flat monthly fee according to their tier, which supports SIP staff salaries and benefits.
- 🏛️ The Biochemistry Department also contributes to SIP staff salaries.
- 📈 SIP tracks instrument time to establish each group’s tier level.
- 🙋♀️ Support is always free: time spent by SIP staff for user support and training is not counted toward the tier.
We hope this encourages users to ask for help any time they need it—without fear of racking up costs. We are here to help.
🌱 New Group Entry
New user groups begin at the lowest tier (currently $205/month toward salaries in FY 2026, with associated benefits costs).
🔄 Adjustments are made annually based on actual usage from the prior year.
🧴 Consumables
Consumables are provided by the users.
🛠️ Repair & Maintenance Costs
To ensure fairness and sustainability:
- 🔧 Normal wear and tear costs (e.g., replacement parts not covered by service contracts) are shared among user groups based on usage over the previous two years. This may include costs incurred after a group stops using an instrument.
- ⚠️ User error-related repairs are the responsibility of the group involved.
- 🛡️ Service contract costs are currently covered by the Biochemistry Department.
- 🧨 Major damage requiring repairs outside of service contracts will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
(We have not had this issue in the past, but it could occur in the future.)
🧭 A Proven Model
We understand this system may seem complex at first glance. But over SIP’s 13-year history, it has consistently proven to be a sustainable, fair, and cost-effective model that preserves access to our outstanding research resources.
🏫 The Department of Biochemistry continues to heavily subsidize SIP, ensuring its benefits extend across the department and the broader CU research community—and will continue to do so as long as departmental funds allow.
🤝 We’re Here to Help
We’re here to help you navigate the process and make the most of what SIP has to offer.
📬 Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or specific needs
🧼 Housekeeping
Clean Use & Responsible Conduct
❓ Need Help? Just Ask
If users are ever unsure about the correct operation of an instrument, they should ask for assistance.
📬 Facility personnel can be contacted at any time via:
- Text
- Phone
- Visiting the office in C316, JSCBB
📍 Phone numbers are posted next to the instruments and on the office door.
📧 Email addresses can be found here:
🧽 Clean Workspace Expectations
Users are expected to leave the instruments and workspace in good, clean condition.
This includes:
- Instruments
- Computers
- Keyboards
- Desks
- Proper disposal of any samples or waste products
🚮 Samples and waste should be disposed of in the user’s lab.
🧴 Post-Experiment Cleaning
After completing their experiments, users are expected to:
- Wipe down any parts of the instrument they touched
- Clean any keyboard, mouse, touch pad, or desk
Use a paper towel sprayed with 70% ethanol or 75% isopropanol, provided in spray bottles at the instruments.
🧯 Safety
Mandatory Requirements for All SIP Users
In addition to all safety requirements mandated by EH&S for general laboratory work and specific hazards (e.g., biohazards, radiation), the following rules must be strictly followed.
🔗 Refer to the EH&S website for comprehensive safety information and training modules.
📚 Mandatory Safety Training
All users must complete:
- ✅ Initial hazardous waste generator training provided by EH&S
- Annual refresher training (compulsory)
Additional training requirements:
- ☢️ Radiation safety training for users working with radioisotopes
- Radiation badges must be worn as required
- Training must be renewed per EH&S regulations
- 🧬 General biosafety training for users working with biohazards, including recombinant DNA
🧼 General Safety Rules & Considerations
- 🚫 No food or drink in labs or near instruments
- 👟 Closed-toed shoes and long pants are mandatory
- Shorts, sandals, flip-flops, or bare feet are strictly forbidden
- 🥽 Safety glasses and lab coats must be worn at all times
- 🧤 Disposable gloves must be used when appropriate
- 🗑️ All waste must be disposed of in strict accordance with EH&S regulations
🚫 Failure to comply with these training requirements will result in loss of access to the facilities.
❓ If You're Unsure, Ask
If users are ever uncertain about safety procedures during experiments, they must seek assistance immediately.
📍 Facility personnel can be reached via:
- Text
- Phone
- Visiting the office in C316, JSCBB
📞 Phone numbers are posted next to instruments and on the office door.
📧 Email contacts:
🌙 After-Hours Work
Users intending to work outside regular hours must:
- Ensure they are not alone
- Inform someone nearby of their presence
- Check in regularly with that person
🚫 Non-compliance will result in immediate corrective action and may lead to restricted access.
🚨 Emergency Contacts
- Dr. Annette Erbse
- Director, Shared Instruments Pool in Biochemistry
- 📞 303-492-0528 (regular hours)
- 📱 Private cell posted on office door and at instruments
- 📧 erbse@colorado.edu
- 📍 Office: JSCBB, C316
- UCB Police Dispatch (after hours)
- 📞 911 or 303-492-6666
- EH&S Health Physics (campus hours)
- 📞 303-492-6523
- Environmental Health & Safety (campus hours)
📞 303-492-602