Rates and Technical Assistance
The rates listed below apply to independent users who operate FEMR instruments after completing the required staff training.
In addition to instrument time, FEMR offers technical assistance from our staff for users who require support. This includes:
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Hands鈥憃n training
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Assisted operation
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Method development
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Sample preparation support
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Troubleshooting and workflow optimization
A technical time hourly rate applies to all staff鈥慳ssisted work, including training sessions.
| Electron Microscope | Regular Hours (8:00听 鈥� 18:00) | Afterhours and Weekends |
|---|---|---|
| FEI Titan Krios 300 kV Cryo-S/TEM | $1,000 day-1; SPA applications | |
| $750 day-1; Cryo-ET applications | ||
| $500 day-1; Screening(*) | ||
| Thermo Scientific Glacios 2 Cryo-TEM | $1,000 day-1; SPA applications | |
| $750 day-1; Cryo-ET applications | ||
| $100 hr-1; Screening(*) | ||
|
Thermo Scientific Talos F200X G2 for Materials Science |
$70.00 hr-1 | $40.00 hr-1 |
| FEI Tecnai G2 Spirit 120 kV Cryo-TEM | $60.00 hr-1 | $40.00 hr-1 |
| 听
Thermo Scientific Hydra Bio PFIB鈥慡EM (Room鈥慣emperature Operation)
|
$100.00 hr-1 |
$60.00 hr-1 |
| Thermo Scientific Hydra Bio PFIB鈥慡EM (Cryogenic Temperature Operation) | $130.00 hr-1 | $90.00 hr-1 |
| FEI Quanta 450 FE-ESEM | $60.00 hr-1 | $30.00 hr-1 |
| Hitachi Ethos NX5000 FIB-SEM | $100.00 hr-1 | $100.00 hr-1 |
| FEI CorrSight Digital Fluorescent Light Microscope | Live Cell Module $40.00 hr -1 | |
| Cryo Module $60.00 hr -1 | ||
(*)If the screening day becomes a data collection day, the cost is $1000 per day.听 Data collection projects approved by the Cryo-EM Committee have priority over screening projects.
| Sample Preparation Equipment | Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| Bal-Tec BAF060 Freeze Fracture System | $40.00 hr-1, min. 3 hrs | |
| Bal-Tec BAF030 Jet Freezer | $35.00 hr-1 | |
| Cressington 208A Carbon Coater | $20.00 hr-1 | |
| Thermo Scientific Vitrobot Mark IV | $35.00 hr-1 | |
| Leica EM GP2 | $35.00 hr-1 | |
| Gatan Precision Ion Polisher System (PIPS) | $35.00 hr-1 | |
| Leica Microsystems Ultracut UCT Ultramicrotome | $30.00 hr-1 | |
| Leica Microsystems EM PACT2 High-Pressure Freezer | $35.00 hr-1 + HPF consumables at cost | |
| Leica Microsystems EM AFS2 | $35 day-1 | |
| Leica Microsystems Critical Point Dryer Model CPD030 | $30.00 hr-1 min. 2 hrs | |
| Leica Microsystems EM ACE600 Sputter Coater | $25.00 run-1 | |
| Technical assistance | $70.00 hr-1 | |
Typical costs for electron microscopy laboratory services. Actual costs may depend upon the project and the type of sample(s).
| Services | Fees |
|---|---|
| Technical time | $70.00 hr-1 |
| Consultation on experimental design. | No charge for the first hour hr-1; $70 for each additional hr. |
| Training on TEM | $140.00 hr-1; min. 3 hrs |
| Training on SEM | $130.00 hr-1; min. 2 hrs |
| Conventional sample preparation for TEM (fixation and embedding/) | $490.00 (up to ~12 samples + $50.00 for each additional sample) + ~10% material fee (fixatives, buffers, resins, etc.) |
| Post-embedding sample preparation for TEM (LR White) | $300.00 (up to ~10 samples) + ~10% material fee (fixatives, buffers, resins, etc.) |
| Ultramicrotomy | $75.00听hr-1 + cost of consumables |
| Cryo-ultramicrotomy | $120 hr-1 + cost of consumables |
| Post-embedding immunogold labeling | $350.00(#) |
| Cryo-immunogold labeling | $450.00(#) |
| Negative staining | $75.00听hr-1 + cost of consumables |
| Cryo-sample preparation (grid plunge freezing or Vitrobot) | $105.00 hr-1 + cost of consumables |
| Freeze-fracture preparation + TEM imaging | $500.00 |
| Fixation and CPD for imaging in SEM | $275 + cost of consumables (up to 6 samples) |
| Specimen mounting and sputter coating for SEM | $50 run-1 + cost of consumables |
| Image Processing | $75 hr-1 |
(#) Consult with staff for听details
For more information about services or equipment availability, email kelly.sears [at] mcgill.ca.
Publication & Authorship Policy
The Facility for Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR) provides electron microscopy services on a fee鈥慺or鈥憇ervice basis. While FEMR staff are responsible for instrument operation, basic processing, and routine microscopy workflows, the interpretation of all resulting data remains the responsibility of the submitting investigator.
To recognize the role of the facility and its staff in supporting your research, the following guidelines apply:
Acknowledgment
Users must acknowledge the FEMR in any publications, presentations, theses, or reports that include data acquired using FEMR instruments or services. Proper acknowledgment helps demonstrate the value of shared research infrastructure and supports future funding.
Authorship
Co鈥慳uthorship should be offered when FEMR staff contribute substantial scientific or intellectual input beyond routine operation. Examples include, but are not limited to:
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Developing or optimizing experimental workflows
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Providing significant data interpretation or analysis
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Designing or troubleshooting complex experiments
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Contributing to figure preparation or manuscript writing
In such cases, authorship is appropriate and should follow standard scholarly guidelines (e.g., ICMJE, CRediT taxonomy).