Information For New Users

As part of our commitment to world-class research, we offer streamlined account registration, equipment scheduling, usage, and support. This allows researchers to utilize state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise available at BU.

Registration Process

There are two main steps for both new and existing users to register and access the facilities:

Step 1 – Principal Investigators (PIs) Registration

Who: PIs with funding from Boston University, Boston Medical Center, or Evans Medical Foundation.
What to Do:

  1. Register your funding information on the BU Core Fund website.
  2. Submit your funding information for verification.
    • Note: The provided cost center number is valid for one year; re-registration is required annually.

External Funding: PIs with external funding can submit their information directly in the Equipment iLab Scheduling System. Core directors will arrange contracts with external users before they can access core resources.

Step 2 – Staff Registration

Who: All scientific staff (technicians, postdocs, grad students, etc.) who will use the cores.
What to Do:

  1. Create an account in the Equipment iLab Scheduling System. The creation of these profiles is open to all scientific staff.
  2. During profile creation, associate your account with the funding information provided by your PI.
    • Note: While profiles can be created without account numbers, you need one to make reservations for cores requiring payment.

How to Get Started

  1. Obtain BU Credentials: Ensure you have BU credentials (a BU email account). If you’re not affiliated with BU, you can request credentials.
  2. Register as a PI: Follow the steps to create Funding Profiles on the BU Core Fund website. Once your BU credentials are verified in Active Directory, visit the BU Core Fund website to submit your funding information. This creates Funding Profiles, allowing the Cores Administration to validate and charge your funding sources. Each profile corresponds to a single funding source, enabling precise allocation of funds to specific experiments and personnel within the BU/BUMC cores.
  3. Create User Profiles: All users must create profiles in the Equipment iLab Scheduling System to schedule equipment time. Researchers (technicians, postdocs, grad students, etc.) needing to schedule equipment time or services must use iLab. During profile creation, users will associate their profiles with account numbers provided by their PIs. These numbers (BU account, BMC PO, corporate PO, etc.) correspond to the Funding Profiles created by the PI. While profiles can be made without account numbers, those without them cannot reserve cores requiring payment.

Once you complete both steps, you will be ready to schedule time using the cores!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out for assistance. Thank you for your commitment to advancing research at Boston University!

Facilities Using the Equipment iLab Scheduling System

  • Data Science Core
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Integrated Biomedical Imaging Services (IBIS):
    • Confocal Microscopes
    • Transmission Electron Microscope
    • Akoya Biosciences PhenoImager HT Whole Slide Imaging System
  • Cellular Imaging
  • MRI & Ultrasound Scanning
  • Analytical Instrumentation
  • IVIS Imaging Facility
  • Metabolic Phenotyping Core (MPC)

As more cores adopt the iLab scheduling system, this list will be updated.

Whether the core facility you need is using or not using the iLab scheduling system you are encouraged to register!

◄ Back to Cores, Facilities and Services website.

▲ BACK TO TOP