BSF

BSF website

Onboarding

Welcome to our vibrant community here at the Bioscience Support Facility (BSF)!

To gain access to BSF spaces, you must complete the following:

1. Register

  • Email bsftraining@utoronto.ca for registration form

2. Training

  • Complete the Training Request Form
    • Rodent Users
      • Complete the Online Ethics module AND Mouse/Rat module.
      • Additional training such as CL2, anesthesia, surgery will be scheduled based on the information provided on our training request form. Please select only necessary training required for the activities you will be performing in the lab
      • For CL2 training you must complete the online Laboratory Biosafety and Respiratory Protection courses and be fit-tested for a N95 respirator. Visit the EHS website for information and registration.
    • Fish Users
      • Complete the Online Ethics module AND Fish module.
      • Complete the Documentation of External Training and submit it to aec.training@utoronto.ca, cc bsftraining@utoronto.ca
    • Turtle/Frog Users
    • Reptile Users

3. Key Fobs

  • Fobs must be obtained from the following department:
    • CSB & EEB users – from the CSB Department, RW401
    • PSY users – from the Psychology Department
  • If you need to extend your fob’s expiration, contact your home department no less than 4 weeks before expiration.
  • Do NOT share fobs. Report stolen/lost fobs immediately.

4. Orientation & Access

  • After the completion of all required training, you will be scheduled an orientation session and facility access.

Animal Use Protocols (AUP)

  • You must be added to the Animal Use Protocol before orientation and facility access is to be provided.
  • You must receive a copy of the latest version for review.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

  • Institutional (University of Toronto)
    • If you are a student/technician/researcher, ask your supervisor to forward relevant SOPs from the The Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation’s (VPRI’s) website.
    • If you are a supervisor/principal investigator, you can access the SOPs through the VPRI website.
  • Laboratory-Specific
    • If you are a student/technician/researcher, ask your supervisor or lab manager to forward relevant laboratory SOPs.
    • Laboratory groups are expected to keep their own SOPs up-to-date.
  • Local (Facility)

NOTE: Additional training is provided on an ongoing basis as necessary to address revisions to regulations, animal care issues, changes in best practices, or at the request of researchers.