New Users

Welcome to the MCP!

Here's your guide to get started

This page is relevant for all researchers and students who wish to make use of the MCP services including cell sorting and analyser training.

For all services, new users who require advice for which cytometer and node is most suitable for their needs should contact us via our general email. Do not use this email for training requests.

If you do not require advice, all training and access requests are to be submitted via the form below, having carefully read, acknowledged and accepted the MCP terms and conditions of use.

Access and training requests:

Due to the very high volume of cytometer access requests, all students and researchers wishing to be inducted must put in their requests via the form below. For those who need analyser training, you will be required to first read "Introduction to Flow Cytometry" and complete and submit the accompanying quiz via the form. Upon receipt of your request below, you will be invited to attend hands-on training on a first-in-first-served basis. Training is offered in groups of up to 3 students  (preferably 2) at a time and training typically lasts 2-3 hours, depending on previous experience. We try to match new trainees with similar levels of experience within a single training session. Training is charged to group leaders at an hourly rate (based on our Terms and Conditions), and costs are split equally between groups when researchers from different labs are trained together.

*Researchers who are existing users of our Platform instruments should also use this form to request upskill or additional training after initial induction has been passed. These users do not need to submit the quiz or a second copy of the user agreement form*

  1. Download and read Introduction to Flow Cytometry . You'll need this to complete the cytometry competency quiz.
  2. Download and complete the MCP Cytometry Quiz. This will need to be uploaded in step 5.
  3. Download and read the MCP Terms and Conditions 2024
  4. Complete the UOM User Agreement Form (if you are a University of Melbourne researcher or student) OR the External User Agreement Form (if you are not a University of Melbourne researcher - includes students who are physically based at Florey, Peter Mac, MCRI, WEHI, Monash etc...)- ensure that it is signed by your supervisor. This will need to be uploaded in step 5.
  5. Complete and submit this form
  6. Request a Calpendo booking system account

Node Access Requirements

MCP cell sorting services and analysers are available for use by all University staff and students and affiliated research institutes and hospitals. Assisted cell sorting bookings can be made during business hours and there is no need for building or instrument induction. Researchers are escorted to the flow cytometry facilities and are welcome to view and guide the experimental setup before leaving the lab.

For independent analyser use 24 hours/ 7 days per week, access is granted to University of Melbourne staff and students following instrument training and competency testing and building and OHS training inductions. Outside of buisness hours access may not be available for Honours students and non-University of Melbourne staff or students.

Requirements to access flow cytometers in nodes outside your home building

Doherty Institute: contact Vanta

Melbourne Brain Centre (Kenneth Myer Building)/ Bio21: contact Maggie

Dental School: contact Alexis