On-site sessions

eBIC is welcoming users back on-site. Access will be prioritised based on technique used. Order of priority is:

1. CryoCLEM                                  
2. FIBSEM (Scios/Aquilos)            
3. Lamellae tomography
4. Cellular tomography
5. High-resolution tomography
6. Single particles

To comply with room CO2 limits, only two users per microscope will be allowed. For permission to attend on-site, please email requests to karen.davies@diamond.ac.uk at least two weeks before the scheduled session with an explanation of why an on-site visit is essential.

We strongly recommend users continue to use the ISPyB system for Sample Shipping. Users who do not use ISPyB shipping are solely responsible for their sample arriving and leaving eBIC. Only dry shippers entered into ISPyB will be checked and topped up with liquid nitrogen. All samples must be entered into the UAS and have an approved ERA before they arrive on site.

eBIC / i14 building location

The electron Bio-Imaging Centre is located 
on-site at Diamond, near the synchrotron.

electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC)
I14-EMF
Diamond Light Source
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot, Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE

Directions to Diamond itself can be found here.

For all microscopes: If users bring samples to site, please arrive at eBIC/i14 building entrance (opposite cafeteria) at 9am. If samples, shipped, please arrive at 11am. Please bring your user badge if you have been issued with one. 

If you need assistance please contact the Experimental Hall Coordinators on:
+44 (0)1235 77 8787.

​​​Essential user actions prior to on-site visit:

• Submit sample ERA in UAS at least one week before the user's session.
• Register shipping dewar in ISPyB and arrange shipping (Sample Shipping).
• Contact Local Contact detailing data collection parameters and types of grids shipped.
• Read appropriate guide relevant to the user's data collection session: User guide instructions.

On-site workflow

• Users arrive at eBIC/i14 building at prearranged time
  (9am if samples brought to site, ~11am if sample is shipped).
• Local Contact will load samples alone and prepare scope.
• When scope ready, (~11-11.30am), Local Contact will hand over to User.
• User will perform atlas and set up data collection.
• Data collection should be started by 3pm, even if only one square is prepared, to ensure everything is working.
• At 5pm, user and Local Contact depart eBIC and monitor session remotely.
• If problems are encountered outside working hours, please phone EHCs (+44 (0) 1235 778787).
  (nb: There is no on-site access for users out-of-hours or at weekends. During this time, users should be using NX-cloud).

Key points during data collection setup:

• When saving EPU sessions, make sure name starts with Supervisor and has your user session number.

• Movie output format should be 'non-gain normalised LZW compressed tif'. 
  
  For EPU:

  • Fast-acquisition is recommended for most standard SPA setup as it uses AFIS allowing multiple shots per hole and per stage movement leading to higher data collection rates.

  • Our recommended setup with K3 cameras is super-resolution with 2-fold binning as this generates fastest data collection rates. To offset potential aliasing, it is recommended to collect one mag higher than required. (e.g., If targeting 81k (1.06 Å/px), use 105k (0.83 Å/px) instead.

• Once data collection has started, please inform Local Contacts who will start data transfer scripts.
   
• Please inform Local Contacts if you plan to collect on multiple samples during a session as each requires their own data transfer script.
   
• Please inform Local Contacts if you plan to stop and start data collection outside normal working hours.

For problems outside 9am-5pm (UK time) during the week when the beamline is on, and on weekends (7am-7pm), users must call Diamond EHCs on +44 (0) 1235 77 8787 and inform them:

- they are a user running a remote session on a Krios electron microscope.
- provide the EHC with their local contact's name.

The Diamond EHC will make best efforts to get in touch with eBIC staff, who will attempt to address the problem.