Important Information for all MAI and MCT Lab Users

Access for Internal and External Users

All new MAI and MCT Lab users are required to complete a registration form before being granted access to the facility. For safety and security reasons, the main entrance remains locked at all times, and access is provided only after users have met the applicable requirements.

KU-affiliated users: Badge access is activated after users have completed instrument training and demonstrated the ability to operate the instrument independently. Proficiency is verified through three consecutive successful sessions within a 30-day period. This level of access allows entry to the specific laboratory where training or services are being provided and permits the use of reserved instruments with minimal supervision.

External users: Depending on the frequency of use and the need for facility access, temporary visitor badges may be issued. These badges are valid only for the duration of approved instrument reservations within the core facility.

All users are expected to comply with established safety protocols, laboratory regulations, and facility policies while maintaining a professional and respectful working environment. Access privileges may be suspended or revoked in cases of instrument misuse or failure to comply with safety requirements and facility guidelines.

New User Form

For all new MAI and MCT users, completion of a New User Form is required before scheduling any appointments. Complete the New User Form.

Intellectual Merit and Other Facility Policy

Intellectual Merit

The MAI and MCT Lab personnel recognize that the research outcomes and intellectual merit generated through user projects belong to the Principal Investigator (PI) and their laboratory. Research findings are considered confidential until the PI authorizes their dissemination. MAI and MCT Lab personnel provide consultation and support in experimental design, workflow development, and troubleshooting.

The MAI/MCT Lab Director and/or staff may request consideration for authorship when they have made substantial intellectual contributions to a project, including contributions to study design, data acquisition, data analysis, and/or manuscript preparation. Development of new methodologies, optimization of novel workflows, or significant modifications to existing protocols may also constitute substantial contributions and should be discussed with MAI/MCT Lab personnel to determine appropriate recognition, including authorship when applicable.

Routine instrument operation, standard data acquisition, sample processing, or technical assistance provided as part of established core facility services does not generally constitute an intellectual contribution warranting authorship. Authorship consideration should be based on meaningful intellectual contributions to the development, interpretation, or communication of the research, consistent with accepted authorship guidelines.

Any intellectual property with potential for patent development must be discussed with the MAI/MCT Lab Director prior to public dissemination.

Research Contributions, Publications, and Acknowledgment Policy

MAI and MCT users are expected to acknowledge the core lab in publications resulting from work performed at the facility. Appropriate acknowledgment should include recognition of data collection, sample preparation, and/or other technical contributions provided by the facility, as well as identification of the specific instruments used to generate the data.

To ensure that methods performed within the MAI and MCT Labs are reproducible and accessible to the broader scientific community, users are encouraged to include the instrument model and facility name in publications. Providing this information supports transparency, facilitates reproducibility across research groups, and contributes to institutional reporting, funding justification, and the continued development of shared research resources.

MAI and MCT users are encouraged to notify the MAI/MCT Lab when manuscripts, abstracts, posters, or other scientific communications resulting from facility-supported work are submitted or published. This allows the facility to maintain accurate records of research impact and contributions.

An example of how to describe the MAI/MCT Lab contribution in the Materials and Methods section of a scientific manuscript is provided below:

All sample preparation, processing, and imaging were performed in the Microscopy and Analytical Imaging Core Laboratory at the University of Kansas.

Or:

All sample preparation, processing, and imaging were performed in the Material Characterization and Testing Laboratory at the University of Kansas.

Confidentiality and Data Access

MAI/MCT Lab personnel will maintain confidentiality regarding unpublished research, experimental designs, samples, and data provided by users. MAI/MCT Lab personnel will not share user information or research findings without appropriate authorization.

Sample Ownership and Handling

MAI and MCT users retain ownership of their samples and are responsible for ensuring that samples are properly labeled, documented, and compliant with all applicable safety and regulatory requirements before submission. The MAI/MCT Lab reserves the right to decline samples that do not meet established safety or handling requirements.

Questions regarding authorship, acknowledgment, intellectual contributions, or intellectual property should be discussed with the MAI/MCT Lab Director as early as possible to ensure appropriate recognition of all contributors.