Bio CARS - Access and Forms
Contents(1) Beamline Summary and StatusAustralian research groups have access the three BioCARS beamlines via the ASRP: 14 BM-C ? bending magnet fixed wavelength station for high resolution and large unit cells, operating at 0.9 A. Currently used with an ADSC Q4 detector. An ADSC Q315 detector is scheduled for installation in the Fall of 2003. 14 BM-D ? bending magnet MAD station, currently equipped with an ADSC Q4 CCD detector. MAD experiments have ranged from Fe to U edges. 14 ID-B ? undulator beamline, used approximately 2/3 for MAD and 1/3 for Laue measurements. The stations is currently equipped with a MAR165 CCD detector. The detector is likely to be replaced with an ADSC Q4 for normal operations. A mar345 image plate detector is available on any of the stations if arranged ahead of time. BioCARS offers the use of a 4.0 C cold room. Work on BSL-2 (PC2) and BSL-3 (PC3) samples is allowed if prearranged. Data can be processed using either HKL (DENZO and SCALEPACK) or the DPS/Mosflm package. For more information, remember to visit these sites: (2) Applying for BeamtimeBioCARS beamtime proposals should be submitted to the APS as General User proposals, with 14-BM-C, 14-BM-D, or 14-ID selected as the first choice under the 'Beamtime Request' tab. The detailed procedure can be found below under Section (4). There are two relevant deadlines for the May-August 2004 operations cycle:
A BioCARS proposal can be submitted to the APS for the 2004-2 cycle at anytime up to the BioCARS April 5 deadline by requesting the 2004-2 scheduling period under the Beamtime Request tab (see instructions in Section 4b ). After the APS March 17 deadline the 2004-2 selection will change to "2004-4 (RAPID ACCESS ONLY)", which should be selected. The ASRP has signed a blanket proprietary research agreement with the APS, which can be used by any ASRP user. A detailed procedure is in preparation. In the meantime spokespersons who might wish to perform proprietary work on BioCARS beamlines should contact Richard Garrett (3) APS User RegistrationNew users must complete the APS online registration form prior to arriving at Argonne National Laboratory. New users also have to go through a half day safety and training initiation before they can use the beamlines (See Section 6). Important: Australian citizens (and citizens of other 'non-sensitive' nations) must register at least three weeks prior to arrival at APS. Citizens of 'sensitive' countries must register at least 16 weeks in advance. Details of these requirements, and lists of 'sensitive' and 'non-sensitive' countries can be found at: http://www.aps.anl.gov/xfd/communicator/useroffice/non-us_citizens.html To register as an APS user, click the "User Info" tab on the APS home page, and then the "New User" link on the blue left hand frame. Step 2 under "How do I become an APS user" has a link to the registration page. Important: If you obtain beamtime via the ASRP, you are covered by the ANSTO/ASRP Institutional Agreement with the APS. Please insert "ANSTO" in parentheses following your institution name on the user registration form. (4) Application ProcedureThe current procedure is as follows. Detailed instructions for the proposal form can be found once in the "Beamtime" section by clicking the "Instructions" link in the blue frame on the left. (a) If you have not used the APS before, you must register as an APS user. See Section 3 above. (b) Enter the details of your proposal on the APS web site: Click the "Beamtime" tab at the top of the home page. Select the "Proposal Form" link at the top of this page or in the blue frame at the left. You should get to the following login screen:
If you haven't used the APS GUP system before click the appropriate link under "Don't know your password?" and a password will be emailed to you. After login you will be at the main menu of the online proposal form. Detailed instructions for the form can be found by clicking the "Instructions" link in the blue frame on the left. Select "Create New Proposal" to begin. Enter the Title and type of proposal (individual or program), answer the questions. Make sure you answer "yes" to the Does this research involve macromolecular crystallography (single crystals) ? question and choose macromolecular crystallography as the technique. Click the "Next Page" tab and you will see the main proposal screen as below:
Please note down the 4 digit proposal number on at the top of the form, GUP-1231 in the screen shot above. Fill in the form under each of the tabs. The scientific justification is entered under the "questions" tab. Although the system makes provision for proposal text to be uploaded as a pdf document, this is not recommended. Important: Under the beamtime request tab:
The system allows you to save and exit the proposal, then edit it further at a later date, until you submit. The "generate report" button will make a pdf version that can be saved locally. (c) Fill out the 1 page ASRP cover sheet and a request for funding. The cover sheet has the dual role of allowing us to unambiguously match proposals on the APS system with funding requests, and gathering information on results from past experiments. These forms can be downloaded here:
Hardcopy versions of these two forms should be forwarded to Mrs. Margaret Edmondson at the ASRP office (NOT to the United States). There is no need to send us the pdf version of the web proposal. Mrs. Margaret Edmondson (d) ASRP proposals will be extracted from the APS system and sent to the ASRP for review. The applications will be considered by the Australian BioCARS specialist committee, which will notify BioCARS which proposals should be scheduled. BioCARS will contact successful applicants by email to arrange beamtime dates. It is imperative that such emails are answered promptly. (e) Book flights ASAP. Please purchase the cheapest available tickets. The ASRP will reimburse non-refundable tickets if the trip does not take place for technical reasons eg the APS or BioCARS goes down, crystals are lost in transit. (Please contact the ASRP immediately any such problem comes to light). You should schedule your arrival for 2 days before the start of your experiments. This will allow time to overcome jetlag and to complete the necessary safety training for new users (see Section 6). (f) Contact Harry Tong (E-mail) regarding special requests and general info for the trip. (g) Please be specific on the APS proposal form if there are any dates which are not possible for you. All scheduling or policy questions/suggestions should be addressed to Mike Lawrence (E-mail) or Richard Garrett [E-mail) Please do not contact the U.S. staff directly. Please limit communications to Harry Tong to questions about technical details of your experiment and queries about the BioCARS facilities. (h) Assistance with Accommodation and Airport Transfer: Ms Dixie Franklin from the CARS office at the APS, is happy to arrange hotel accommodations and transportation from the airport for users. Alternatively you can register online at the Argonne Guest House, using the online form at http://www.aps.anl.gov/travel/accomodation-form.html or by calling Toll free 1800 632 8990. Please mention CARS/APS and you will receive a special rate at the guest house. Dixie can be contacted at: Ms Dixie Franklin (5) Crystal transportIt is highly recommended that users send or take their crystals already frozen to APS. We encourage users to use a courier service to get their crystals to APS. Reasonable courier costs will be met by the ASRP upon application in the travel funding form. A current AQIS import permit will be required to bring the shipper back into Australia as well as a letter from Harry Tong on APS letterhead describing the contents of the dewar. If users wish to take the dewer with them then it is recommended to obtain prior permission (on company letterhead) to carry dry shippers with your chosen airline (including any American partner airlines). If there is any trouble getting the dewar through Customs at Los Angeles it might help if you request sympathetic Airline staff to accompany you to the security gates. There is an official Department of Transportation approval for transporting small samples of biological macromolecules to and from Argonne National Laboratory within USA. The source is located at http://www.aps.anl.gov/xfd/tech/TB14www/tud25.html . (6) APS User OrientationOnce at the APS, first time users have to undergo a thorough orientation and training process. This process is described step by step on the APS user orientation web page. New users must complete the APS online registration form prior to travelling (see Section 3 above). Steps 1 and 2 of the orientation, user registration and reading the APS User and User Safety Guides, should be done on line prior to your trip via the above orientation web page. In addition, the General Employee Radiation Training (GERT) study guide should be read beforehand, again, on the orientation web page. Users have to pass a multiple choice exam (step 3 of the orientation) as part of the orientation process. Reminder: GERT certification is valid for 2 years. If your GERT has expired you will have to re-sit the exam. The APS users office normally contacts users just prior to their expiry date. Other useful links for users travelling to the APS:
(7) Problems and ReportsOn your return, please E-mail Mike Lawrence any problems you encountered on your visit. The BioCARS specialist committee will do their best to remedy any problems. The ASRP requires experimental reports to be filled out on the supplied forms, and acquittal of the supplied funding, within 30 days of your return. (8) AcknowledgmentsAny publication resulting from ASRP funded trips to BioCARS must be acknowledged using the paragraph below: This work, including use of the BioCARS sector, was supported by the Australian Synchrotron Research Program, which is funded by the Commonwealth of Australia under the Major National Research Facilities Program. Use of BioCARS Sector 14 was also supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources, under grant number RR07707. Use of the Advanced Photon Source was supported by the U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357. One copy of each published manuscript should be sent to the ASRP administration office as soon as possible after the publication date. In addition, please ensure that the ASRP, and the use of Synchrotron Radiation, is acknowledged in any press release resulting from ASRP supported research. This is very important to ensure the continued funding and growth of the synchrotron program in Australia. Document details: Original Web document. Author and contact Dr R Garrett This page was last updated on 15 December, 2006 |
