UNSW Research Infrastructure COVID-19 Information

MWAC staff will continue to operate to our normal high standards, within the Covid-19 guidance of UNSW as a whole and NSW state government.

This means that experimental advice, consultancy and help with analysis of data will generally continue online (because it does not require MWAC staff or our customers to be on-site).

However some facilities require on-site operation and are not within the category of essential services. These will not be available until we can justify bringing the relevant staff back on site, which in turn depends on the continued developments in the guidelines for UNSW staff and students as a whole.
In some cases it will be possible for users to leave samples for analysis at MWAC - you should check with the MWAC unit concerned. However we do *not* encourage researchers to come to UNSW to make use of MWAC facilities, and all such usage must be agreed with the MWAC unit in advance.

Please refer to changes summarised below to ensure safety for all users of all Units.

1. If you are feeling unwell, please self-isolate and do not visit UNSW. If you show symptoms while in our labs, you will be asked to leave.
2. Hand sanitizer will be supplied (where possible) at entrances for Visitors to use.
3. Disposable latex gloves will be available for ANY equipment usage (including keyboards). MWAC Units will take extra care to observe good hygiene practices e.g. cleaning surfaces but you should not rely on these.
4. Wash your hands with soap (for 20 seconds) prior to entry to all Units.
5. Maintain a safe distance of at least 1.5m from others including staff and others at all times.
    

Thank you all for your understanding and patience.

Below are additional details for each of the Facilities:

KGLMF (Formerly BMIF)

Imaging Lab – The instruments may be used by trained researchers. In line with social distancing advice all trainings or inductions will be done virtually. You should be using lab coats once and then placing them in the wash bin. You should also be wearing gloves and replacing glad wrap over eye pieces at the start of the session. (this will be provided at the facility).

Any troubleshooting or assistance by should be requested by contacting staff by phone, email or TEAMS and then leaving the facility. The user should then return to the MWAC facility later after he or she has been notified electronically that the problem has been rectified.

Specimen Preparation -The histology lab and slide scanning services will continue during this time. Training and inductions will be conducted in a physically distanced manner. Please submit samples with their form to Rm 454 in Wallace Wurth on the desk with correctly filled-in forms. Should you have specific questions or suggestions for the samples, feel free to contact the relevant staff member directly by phone or e-mail.

Image Analysis - All the main pipelines are currently set up with Moxyviewer so you can access them remotely. All training will be done virtually. However, BMIF staff will assist virtually in moving files, submitting searches or setting up other data analysis if they possibly can.

Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility (BMSF)

BMSF staff will resume face-to-face instrument, data analysis familiarisation or other training but limit training to 1-to-1 with additional PPE as needed. Inductions for new users will be limited to 2 and meetings with vendors will be normally by phone.  Clean lab coats should be worn and additional PPE (gloves and facemasks) along with hand sanitiser and alcohol wipes are available in each BMSF lab and freely available.

Staff may run samples and complete data analysis as usual. Dropping off samples should be done with some caution and avoiding close contact followed by handling samples with care.

Meetings or discussions of results should continue to be done by remotely utilizing email, TEAMS video, TeamViewer, Moxy, phone or some combination of these.

Students who are already inducted and trained to operate instruments may still come to setup their own samples, but they should leave once this is done and monitor the instrument and data collection via TeamViewer. Data analysis should be done remotely (with TeamViewer) by the student or staff may assist by moving files, submitting searches or setting up other data analysis. Any staff troubleshooting or assistance should be completed, as much as possible, without close contact. If assistance with problems is needed the first approach should be by phone, email and TEAMS.

Any questions please contact Mark (m.raftery@unsw.edu.au) or the staff member who is assisting with your project.

Biological Resources Imaging Laboratory (BRIL)

BRIL staff will continue to support research but face-to-face contact will be limited as much as possible. The Director of Animal Services has indicated that all Animal Services facilities (Lowy, Wallace Wurth, Randwick and St George) are continuing to operate. BRIL has adopted the Safe Return to Campus guidelines. Before you use the BRIL facilities, you must confirm that you have explicit approval from your Manager or Supervisor to be on campus. Ensure that you or your supervisor has included a list the BRIL lab rooms/spaces that you will use in your approved Safe Return to Campus application. 

The Biological Resources Imaging Lab has obtained approval for our staff to be present on campus to assist with research. We have also put measures in place in our work areas to assist users in complying with the Safe Return to Campus guidelines.

1. We request that you check bookings and pre-book instruments prior to arriving in BRIL to allow better management of occupancy in BRIL labs.
2. Each of the BRIL labs has a maximum occupancy posted at the entry door. Physical distancing of a minimum of 1.5m is essential while working in BRIL labs. If you see that it is already at capacity, please do not enter. If there is any disagreement about bookings that cannot be resolved, please contact BRIL staff.
3. The ideal working spots/locations for each instrument in each room have been indicated with an “X”. Additional markings indicate the minimum 1.5m boundary to be observed. Please observe these boundaries to ensure 1.5m physical distancing.
4. The Safe Return to Work plan includes additional guidance on physical distancing which should be considered. If you have concerns with working in any BRIL space, please discuss this with a member of the BRIL staff.
5. Normal PPE (Gown, Gloves and Safety Eyewear) are mandatory when working in BRIL lab spaces.
6. As BRIL lab spaces are located within the Animal Facilities in Lowy and Wallace Wurth, you must also consider the BR requirements when moving between areas.

Sample Imaging
For imaging of non-living specimens (MRI, MicroCT), please contact BRIL staff to arrange collection for imaging.

Data Analysis
A computer (level 4 analysis computer 2) has been set up with remote access via Moxyviewer. It will allow users to access the network drive and some software (LivingImage - IVIS SpectrumCT; Vevolab- Visualsonics Ultrasound; IRW- Inveon microCT data) for analysis. If you require access to this computer, please contact Tzong-Tyng (t.hung@unsw.edu.au). BRIL staff can also assist with analysis remotely on the computer.

We ask that you make appropriate plans and contact us if you have any concerns or questions.

FLOW Cytometry

Biorepository

The Biorepository will continue to operate and provide services as usual. The facility has obtained approval for our staff to be present on campus to assist with research. We have also put measures in place in our work areas to assist users in complying with the Safe Return to Campus guidelines. Before you use the Biorepository facilities, you must confirm that you have explicit approval from your Manager or Supervisor to be on campus. Ensure that you or your supervisor has included a list the Biorepository lab rooms/spaces that you will use in your approved Safe Return to Campus application.

Specimen drop-off - Specimens delivered to Upper Campus Stores will be collected as usual. Dropping-off specimens should be done with some caution and avoiding close contact. Users dropping off specimens in person should check with their Biorepository contacts (by phone or e-mail) about these procedures, even if these have been arranged previously.

Instrument use by researchers - Researchers who are already inducted and trained to operate instruments can still come to setup their own samples, but where possible they should leave once this is done. All Biorepository equipment is located within PC2 facilities, please continue to use the correct PPE.

The Safe Return to Work plan includes additional guidance on physical distancing which should be considered. If you have concerns with working in any Biorepository space, please discuss this with a member of the staff.

Inductions - Vapour Phase tank room inductions for new users can only be done in person and will only be available in essential circumstances, this will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the Biorepository Manager.

Chemical Consulting Laboratory (CCL)

Please contact CCL staff by telephone to check latest arrangement for analyses. Please always contact prior to dropping of samples.

Electron Microscope Unit (EMU)

The EMU is open to all users and we have resumed training:

• Please sign in at reception when you enter the unit.
• Disposable gloves and alcohol wipes are available in each microscope room.
• Where possible, inductions and meetings are being conducted remotely.
• Remote training resources have been developed and close contact during training has been minimised.
• All users and staff must comply with the room occupancy limits placed on doors.
• Staff are available either on site or remotely via Teams/phone/email. There is always a staff presence during business hours.

MICRO-CT

1. Anyone who would like to submit any new samples, please contact micro-CT staff for further arrangements.
2. The Tyree micro-CT lab will remain open and operational but the staff will be taking turns in coming to UNSW as per the University’s social distancing advice. At any time during working hours, there will be only one staff onsite (either Amalia or Priya) for you to contact while the other staff will still provide support remotely.
3. Please notify micro-CT staff regarding your plan in accessing the computer lab (TETB LG24) as we try to comply with the social distancing advice. Swipe access to this room will be wiped and everyone will lose their access unless they discuss their plan in using the computer lab with micro- CT staff.

Regarding data analysis, we are trying our best to accommodate, however, we only have limited license of the software. Currently, we only allow students who are close to finishing to remotely access the computer using Moxy. It's going to be a bit tricky to let many users accessing remotely, not only because of the limited license, but also because connection of the software to UNSW server via VPN - if software crash etc, we need the IT guy to reset the server. At the moment limiting access is what we found best.

NMR (including Spectroscopy)

1. Automation samples will continue as normal using Gyro and Gauss with the reminder that only one user is permitted at the instrument at any given time.
2. Booked instruments access will continue for users with valid certificates on any given instrument.
3. Training or advice for experimental development will be handled through the Moxy Chat function or if the user has access to it, Microsoft Teams.
4. Registration for new users while mostly online continues. The OH&S inductions has started in maximum groups of 4 students.
5. One-on-one induction training of new users has recommenced. Contact NMR Facility staff or Anne Rich in the Spec Lab for information about remote training.
6. Email nmr@unsw.edu.au to obtain access to Moxy for remote viewing of instruments
7. The processing lab in NMR and the analysis computers in the Spec Lab will only be accessible remotely. The computers can be booked as any other instrument through the ACLS and then accessed through Moxy. To request access email nmr@unsw.edu.au or Anne Rich in the Spec Lab.

Solid State & Elemental Analysis Unit (SSEAU) Laboratories

Our laboratories are still available for analysis but if you need access to the lab:

• Please use the hand wash on entry
• Request gloves if you want them
• Minimise face-to-face contact with our staff

Surface Analysis (XPS), XRF and ICP Laboratories
You should notify staff about your analytical requirements by email, then deposit your samples and the sample request form in the container outside the lab. Results will be provided by email. Note, if we are required to close at short notice, this will delay your analysis.

XRD Laboratory
XRD has resumed one-on-one training. Group training is still not available, so please be patient while we deal with the back log of users. Trained users can still access the powder XRD instruments in G65 and the single-crystal instrument in G61/63. We have reduced staffing, but staff are still available to help you with your measurements or to assist with instrument problems. Please minimise your time in the laboratory and your face-to-face interactions with our staff.

Data analysis can be performed remotely by booking a processing computer using the Moxy system. Contact the XRD staff about this and they will send an invitation by email.

Stats Central

To those seeking assistance from Stats Central, you can submit a consultation request on the website through this link.

You can also email a consultant directly or use the Stats Central general email address (stats.central@unsw.edu.au).

All consultations will be undertaken remotely, via email, phone or video. All services offered by Stats Central are available.

These include:

• Study design advice
• Guidance on statistical analysis
• Grant proposal review
• Advice on response to reviewer comments
• Short courses (Current offerings)
• Free monthly seminars

RINSW is currently fully operational and our research staff are on-site to assist with your experiments and answer your inquiries. Consultations are also available remotely. Should the hospital require spare MRI capacity due to COVID-19, we will temporarily suspend research scanning until the situation improves. We will provide regular updates on the current status here as well as on the RINSW website.

Animal welfare is an extremely high priority for the University. A university wide plan is in place to ensure our normal high standards of animal care and to support staff providing essential animal services. This is being coordinated by Dr Malcolm France and Dr Josephine Joya. FAQ's and further information is available here.

Research Technology Services (ResTech) continues to offer access to computing resources, data advice and training courses. 

The HPC allocation and Cloud computing scheme are fully operational.

Data services are available if you need advice with data classification, storage, or support using any of our data tools such as Redcap and eNotebook.

All training courses (e.g. Python, Visualisation in R, Matlab and NVivo), weekly Hacky Hour sessions (providing hands-on support for research code, data and tools questions), deep-dive seminars and Lunch & Learn sessions are all online.For a full list of courses, plus a list of self-paced online courses, please visit ResTech's Training webpage.

For information about our services and events please visit our FAQ page. Subscribe to the ResTech mailing list and join the Research Technology Training Teams channel for training and event updates or reach out to us via Microsoft Teams or at restech@unsw.edu.au.

Below are answers to FAQs around UNSW Cold Storage Services:

Q: Is the bulk cryogen supply being maintained on campus?

A: Yes, Our bulk cryogen suppliers, Air Liquide and Core Gas, have advised that at this stage it is business as usual in terms of cryogen supply. Vessels levels are being monitored daily and we are in regular communication with the cryogen providers.

Q: What will happen if the cryogen supply is disrupted?

A:. With a few exceptions, cryogen is an equally important commodity to all users. In the unlikely event that supply is reduced and we were required to ration between the bulk vessels, consolidation of experiments and a controlled shutdown of equipment may be required.

Q: What control measures are in place if a fridge/freezer fails?

A: The UNSW BMS and Wireless Monitoring alarm systems are operational, however these systems are not centrally monitored and rely on the individual alarm recipients to take the necessary action in the event of an alarm. It is recommended that all critical samples and or reagents are located within BMS or Wireless Monitored refrigerated cabinets.

Q: Is there back-up cold storage available in the event of an emergency?

A: Yes, there are back-up -30°C and  -80°C freezers on the upper and lower campus for temporary use in an emergency, a list of available backup freezers can be viewed here. Many schools and faculties also have designated back-up freezers available. Please follow your school/faculty procedures.

If you have any other questions, please contact Cold Storage Services here.

Full details related to ANFF-NSW’s COVID Response Plan are provided here.

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Lucas Heights and the Australian Synchrotron

Details related to recent COVID updates and user access at the ANSTO research infrastructure facilities are provided here.  in NSW and VIC remain open for business subject to certain restrictions. Requests for access can be submitted via the Australian Synchrotron User Portal.