1. Equipment used at the SGf is intended for research use only.
2. SGf staff has complete autonomy and authority over main equipment and only approved individuals may use said equipment without supervision.
1. The main equipment includes: ABI 3130xl Genetic Analyzer, LiCor IR2 DNA Analyzer and components.
2. Approval is given by the genomics specialist (person in charge of SGf).
3. SGf general equipment must be reserved by contacting (phone or e-mail) SGf staff or signing the log sheets located by equipment prior use.
1. General equipment includes: Thermocyclers, NanoDrop, SpeedVac, ultra centrifuges and water system.
2. General equipment is available during normal bussiness hours, holidays, weekends and nights and may be used without supervision by approved users only.
3. User logs and sign-up sheets must be filled our for all equipment; No Exceptions!
4. A period of at least one hour in advance is required for any reservation cancellations.
5. A one-hour period of grace will be given to any reservations for which the user does not show.
6. SGf staff has priority over Thermocyclers to maintain services offered to a maximum.
7. Special rules apply for for NanoDrop Spectrophotometer, please see SGf personnel.
8. No SGf materials may be taken out of facility.
4. Users will be officially trained and certified by SGf staff through workshops.  Other training opportunities will be available and open for discussion and written agreements.
1. Certifications do not authorize users to use the main equipment at the SGf.
2. Workshops and trainings are offered twice a year, depending on subject.  Training/workshop fees will be calculated according to subject and length.  Fees are not refundable.
5. Service:
   Sample submission procedures and processing rules for Sequencing and Genotyping services:
1. Complete sample submission requirements must be met prior sample submission.  Requirements include a) Signed Terms of agreement, c) a complete submission includes the sample submission form and samples provided.

                                                               i.      A quotation of your submission will be sent prior processing samples.

2. Every injection involves 16 wells (16 reactions).  Thus, the minimum number of reactions approved for submission for both sequencing and genotyping services is 15 per injection (one well is for a positive control).  If sending fewer reactions, be advised that we charge per 16 wells.
3. Samples are processed in the order in which they are received, considering they have met all criteria for sample submission.
4. Immediate e-mail notification of sample status and results' estimated times are sent after services commence, depending on queue and considering all sample submission requirements are met.
5. Data generated is, currently, delivered via e-mail within a 24-72 hour period.  This period starts when service is approved and depending on queue (provided all sample submission requirements are met).
5. Data analysis:
   By means of the Bioinformatics Satellite Laboratory (BSL), several software packages for data analysis are available during normal bussiness hours and, for approved users only, during nights, weekends and holidays.  All results are archived for emergency retrieval.
   Please contact SGf personnel for Sequencher key availability.
   SGf personnel does not perform users' data analysis unless requested and with an additional fee.
6. Service fees:
1. Fees are non-refundable and project specific.  Actual price will depend on volume and user sample pre-processing.
2. Service quotes will be provided accordingly.  These are valid for 90 days.
3. Written agreements involving long-term contracts may be negotiable.
4. Each client is responsible for the payment of any shipping, handling and insurance fees, when applicable.
5. Rush considerations that fall outside these requirements will be considered on each invoice.
7. Both for sequencing and genotyping services, the SGf will re-run a sample injection and analysis if the first sequencing injections fails due to processing or equipment problems.  This will be free of charge.  If the second injection should fail, the client will receive a detailed report of events.  Also, the SGf staff will meet with the client to discuss possibilities of failure.
8. Both for sequencing anf genotyping services, the SGf provides a free of charge 16-well injection trial for new users.  During this trial, each new user and SGf personnel will meet to personalize procedures and discuss any special requirements (technical or time-wise), charges, and/or procedure inquiries.
9. SGf requires that any publication, poster and/or presentation resulting from direct or indirect use of facility main services and general equipment use be recognized with the following statement:

Sequencing and Genotyping facility, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras is supported in part by NCRR AABRE Grant #P20 RR16470, NIH-SCORE Grant #S06GM08102, University of Puerto Rico Biology Department, NSF-CREST Grant #0206200, and NINDS-SNRP U54 NS39405.

5. Every principal investigator will provide the facility with a list of potential users, twice a year, in order to maintain security requirements to a maximum and provide a safe environment for its users.  This list will be provided by the facility whenever needed.
1. SGf staff will reserve the right of admission to any person not included in these lists, unless updated verbally or through written agreements; also to any person with questionable behavior.

                                                               i.      Questionable behavior includes harassment and any other hostile behaviour towards another user, student, researcher, visiting professor/researcher or SGf staff, including such behaviour reported outside regular bussiness hours.

                                                             ii.      For specific rules and requirements regarding questionable behaviour, please refer to the Human Resources office of the University of Puerto Rico, 787-764-0000 ext. 1-5471.

2. The principal investigator will be held completely accountable for any users, students or researchers involved in any unusual events within the facility and involving any of the equipment.   Visiting researchers or professors will be held accountable for their own actions.
11. The UPR-SGf and SGf staff will not be held accoutable for any situation derived from breaking these terms.
12. The SGf staff consists of:
1. Dania M. Rodríguez, Lab Manager
2. Karla Z. Maldonado, SGf Technician