Procedure and safety guidelines for using CEL analytical services and instruments
- Instrument access: If you wish to use one of our instruments, please reach out to one of our lab technicians or contact me directly. You can find their contact details in the following link.
- Instrument booking: Instruments must be booked in advance via PPMS. Please note that you can only book an instrument after completing the mandatory training session with our technician.
- User-conducted analyses: If you perform the analyses yourself, you are fully responsible for the quality of your data. Therefore, we strongly recommend including several blank and positive control samples in your analytical sequence, in addition to your samples and calibration standards.
- Sample analysis by technicians: If you are submitting samples to be analyzed by our staff, please submit your request via PPMS, including all relevant information: sample and matrix type, what you wish to analyze, and the detection and quantification limits required.
- Non-routine analyses: For non-standard or complex analyses, please contact Florian Breider directly to schedule a meeting. This will allow us to discuss your project’s feasibility and the associated costs.
- Project proposals: Before submitting any project proposal that include CEL analyses, please contact us first to obtain a cost estimate. This will help you prepare the most accurate budget possible.
- Microbiology and molecular biology requests: For any request related to microbiology or molecular biology, please contact Pierre Rossi or Emmy Oppliger if you are based in Lausanne and Gordanna Pistoletti if you work at ALPOLE (EPFL Valais Wallis).
- Validation of results: Upon receipt of your analytical results, you have 15 days to validate them. After this period, we will consider the results as accepted. Samples will be kept for a maximum of 15 days after results have been delivered. After this period, and without any prior notice, the samples will be discarded. If you wish to recover your samples, please come to our lab to collect them from our fridge before the deadline.
Lab safety and good practices
- Always wear a lab coat and safety goggles when working in the laboratory.
- Do not work in the lab during evenings or weekends without specific OHS authorization. Anyone working in our laboratories during nights or weekends without special authorization will be prohibited from directly using our facilities.
- Never handle hazardous substances alone.
- Do not use CEL’s instruments or computers without prior reservation or informing a lab technician.
- Do not dispose your chemical waste in the sink or regular trash bins. Please use the appropriate disposal methods.