The AMCC will authorize use of its equipment under certain conditions.

There are two types of instrumentations in the AMCC: "mobile" and local.

"Mobile" instruments:

The AMCC mobile instruments include all field equipments:

- the digital cameras

- laptops

- the dissecting kit

- the dryshippers

For more information on the AMCC Field instruments, please consult the Field Equipment page

Conditions of use of "mobile" instruments

- The researcher must submit a written request at least 1 WEEKS before the field trip

- The request has to be approved by the Collection Manager who reserve the right to refuse the loan of part or the entirety of the field equipment if the request is not found resonnable, sound or if it is apparent that the field material could be potentially endangered during the researcher's trip

- The researcher is responsible for the good use and safety of the material.

- In case of loss or irrecuperable damage to any of the material loaned, the researcher must replace the instrument either physically or by its monetary value

- The material must be returned to the AMCC IMMEDIATELY after the researcher's return from the field

Local Instruments:

The AMCC facilities has a wide array of instruments which, under certain conditions, will be put at the disposition of the scientific community of the museum.

Any researcher wanting to use any of the local instruments at the AMCC will subject to the AMCC Access and Visitors Protocol

The local equipment made at the disposition of AMNH researchers are:

- RNA/DNA caculator

Use:

Note: please refer for the Conditions of Use below for request of use

- The user of the RNA/DNA calculator must record his or her name in the "Spec Log Book" situated on the side of the RNA/DNA calculator

- If there is any problem, the researcher must alert the collection manager

- The researcher can at all time ask the assistance of one of the curatorial assistants or the collection manager

- When finished, the cuvettes must be cleaned appropriately and left to dry on the side of the calculator

- Printed results must be affixed in the "Spec Log book" (and photocopied if the researcher requests one copy of it. The copy can be made at the AMCC or at Support Services

Click here for more details on the AMCC RNA/DNA calculator

- UVP Gel documentation system

Use:

Note: please refer for the Conditions of Use below for request of use

- The user of the gel imaging system must record his or her name, as well as the date in the Log Book situated on the side of the Imaging chamber

- The user must also be aware of the potential danger of Ethidium Bromide and must have read the AMCC Chemical Hygiene Plan to that effect under the section Hazardous Material

- A folder must be opened on the desktop of the connected computer for download of the user's images by either the collection manager or a curatorial assistant.

- If there is any problem, the researcher must alert the collection manager

- The researcher can at all time ask the assistance of one of the curatorial assistants or the collection manager

- When finished, the chamber must be cleaned appropriately and gel thrown in the Hazardous Material bin

- The user must sign off the Log book with the time at which he or she stopped using the Imaging System and can then download his or her images on CD Rom (not provided by AMCC)

Click here for more details on the Gel documentation system

- Biosafety Cabinets

Use:

Note: please refer for the Conditions of Use below for request of use

- Any researcher introducing potentially biohazardous material at the AMCC and wishing to work on them in the facilities biosafety cabinets must first read the AMCC Chemical Hygiene Plan on Hazardous Material and understand that the AM- CC is a Biosafety level II laboratory

- The user must log in his or her name, the date of use and the start time on the log sheet stuck on the side of each biosafety cabinet

- The user can at all time ask the assistance of one of the curatorial assistants or the collection manager

- After use, the user must dispose of all waste in the biohazardous trash bin, the waste sharps in the sharp containers and must clean the biosafety cabinet with the appropriate desinfectant solutions provided by the AMCC

- The user must sign off the log sheet with the stop time.

Click here for more details on the biosafety cabinet

Conditions of use of the local instruments

- Any researcher wanting to use any of the local instruments at the AMCC will subject to the AMCC Access and Visitors Protocol

- The research must submit a written request at least 24 hours prior to use

* For the biosafety cabinets, a minimum of 1 week of notice prior use is required if the material worked on is potentially hazardous. Furthermore, the researcher will be requested to provide his or her working protocol to either the Collection Manager

- The request has to be approved by the Collection Manager who reserves the right to refuse the use of the equipment if the request is not found resonnable, sound or if it is apparent that the work does not correspond to the AMCC facilities capacity

- The researcher is responsible for the good use and safety of the material. Any damage, to any of the material will have to be repaired by the researcher at his or her own cost

- Each piece of equipment used must be cleaned and left in the state it was found as.