Beamtime Access

Latest HOAHub Beamtime Call

Call Round 3 is OPEN now, apply by 30th September 2024.

Please email your application form and supporting documents to hoahubesrf@gmail.com, and put “HOAHub beamtime call 3 application – PI NAME” in the subject line.

Key Dates:

• Application deadline: 30th September 2024
• Notification of outcome: 15th November 2024
• Beamtime: 6-12th February 2025 and April 2025 (dates to be confirmed)

Note:

• The Principal Investigator (PI) applying for Biomedical Challenge beamtime must be a HOAHub Member. If you are a Collaborator, we encourage you to collaborate with a HOAHub Member for a joint project.
• See below for detailed instructions on routes to beamtime, and application process for beamtime proposal.

Routes for Beamtime

There are two main routes to HOAHub beamtime:

1. Biomedical challenge beamtime (BC):

• A series of scans that will help solve a biomedical challenge.
• Normally 2-6 shifts. Note: 1 shift = 8 hours*.
• PI must be a HOAHub Member.
• Beamtime follows Membership ethos / rules (data shared immediately with members, contribution to wider hub activities required).

2. Feasibility beamtime (FT):

• Short scan(s) to test new idea or provide small proof of concept datasets for grant application.
• Normally <1 shifts.
• Both HOAHub Members and Collaborators can apply.
• May also be used for training new users on HiP-CT scanning.
• FT beamtime will occur once every 12 months.

Both BC and FT may utilise new samples or may apply to rescan samples currently held onsite at ESRF (highly encouraged). Please use data from the HOA to demonstrate feasibility where appropriate. Applicants must provide anonymised donner meta-data (that is ethically allowable).

* Estimated time required for HiP-CT scans: Large organ scan, e.g. brain, 20um = 5hrs; 10um=12hrs, small organ, e.g. kidney, 20um=2hrs;

Data access only requests: Given the resource constraints of the HOAHub team and the small number of beamtimes accomplished to date, the availability of HOAHub data for request-only access has been deferred until September 2025 at the earliest. Data from the pre-HOAHub era and prior HiP-CT datasets will be progressively uploaded to the Human Organ Atlas in regular installments.

Training: HOAHub provides on-site and virtual training in: HiP-CT scanning (during FT or BC beamtime), sample prep, image reconstruction and image analysis. Teams with accepted proposal will have priority access to training.

Application process for beamtime proposal

Application process for HOAHub beamtime proposal:

1. Call for beamtime proposal to be announced once every six months.*
2. Before submitting any proposals, proposers should engage in a discussion with a HOAHub Member to ensure the proposal fits HOAHub scope.
3. Proposers should further discuss with a Beamline Scientist (BS) to discuss the technical feasibility, shifts required and other relevant experimental details.
4. Proposers should submit the application using the HOAHub Proposal Form.
5. Submitted applications will be reviewed and ranked.
6. Executive Committee (EC) will inform applicants of the outcome.
7. Allocation of specific beamtime shifts will be confirmed provided sample transport arrangement, research ethics** and other necessary documentation are completed.

*FT beamtime will occur once every 12 months.
**In addition to local research ethics approval, an authorisation from French Ministry of Research is required if human organs are transported into France. As the lead of the HOAHub beamtime, we need to submit the documents required on your behalf to obtain the aforementioned authorisation. Please email hoahubesrg@gmail.com if you have any enquiries related to this.

Full submission and peer review process:

Please refer to HOAHub Peer Review Process Guidelines.

Timeline:

We aim to allocate beamtime within 6 months of proposal submission provided sample transport arrangement, research ethics and other necessary documentation are completed.