The continuous spread of COVID-19 throughout the U.S. has forced the University of Connecticut, COR²E, and the UConn Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility to make specific changes to our normal routine in order to minimize the threat of community transmission in Connecticut.  UConn’s current policy (as of Friday, March 13, 2020) is that research can continue, but that all faculty and staff who are able to work from home should do so until at least April 6, 2020.  During this 3 week period, UConn PMF will strive to remain as productive as possible.  This includes continuing sample preparation and analysis at a reasonable pace, assuming faculty and staff remain healthy.  However, we will keep limited hours in lab in order to reduce the risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19 to other scientists.

 

COR²E has established additional policies during this time that UConn PMF and all other core facilities will follow.  These include:

1. There will be no new training sessions for instrumentation until at least Monday, April 6, 2020. If the UConn administration decides to close the University entirely or maintain limited operational status after April 6, this policy may be extended.
2. Users who have previously been trained on user-operated instrumentation may schedule reservations by emailing the Facility Director Jeremy Balsbaugh (jeremy.balsbaugh@uconn.edu). Availability is subject to Facility Director presence on campus and will therefore be limited.
3. New samples should not be dropped off in-person in BPB Room G05 or shipped via FedEx/UPS/UConn Courier Service without prior consent by the Facility Director in the event they cannot be properly received at or delivered to the loading dock. All sample transfers will be done by appointment only; email Jeremy Balsbaugh to schedule an appointment.
4. Biology/Physics Building Room G05 will be locked at all hours until April 6, 2020.  Only users with card access will be able to enter for non-PMF instrument usage if needed.
5. The Facility Director will remain accessible via email for questions about future sample analysis, experimental design consultations, and inquiries regarding previous results.
6. UConn PMF anticipates continuing sample analysis for the immediate future but to a limited degree, so please allow extra time for sample turnaround. For obvious reasons, this is subject to change.  Requests for results consultations and experimental planning meetings may be converted to virtual meetings via WebEx or phone.

 

Updates to the UConn PMF operational status can be found on this page and/or posted to the facility Twitter account (@uconnproteomics).  For any questions or concerns, please email Jeremy.Balsbaugh@uconn.edu.

 

Stay healthy and thank you for your patience!

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