This year, BioCampus Montpellier conducted its first satisfaction survey among the teams using its core facilities. The survey aimed to measure overall user satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. It also sought to identify technological needs that the unit could address.
An exhaustive census of the site's user teams, carried out annually during the platform activity review, targeted 203 team leaders who were asked to rate five items on a scale of 1 to 5. The questions focused on overall user satisfaction, the operation of the unit's management department, the diversity of the technology and training offerings, and the quality of services. With a response rate exceeding 50%, the survey was deemed a success and provides a solid foundation for measuring changes in user satisfaction in the years to come.
The results presented in the histogram below indicate that users are generally satisfied (4.2/5), the technological offerings are adequate (4.4/5), and the service quality is good (4.3/5). The training offerings are also well-rated (4.1/5), but they will need to evolve and diversify in the coming years. Work is underway with the career development departments (CNRS, Inserm, Université de Montpellier) to identify and meet needs as effectively as possible. Additionally, there is a desire to establish training courses for non-French-speaking English speakers.
However, satisfaction with the billing process was slightly lower (3.8/5). The main issues identified were the need for auditable pricing for internal invoicing, long invoicing times, and insufficiently detailed billing statements. The management department will implement improvements to address these issues.
Users’ satisfaction in 2023
The BioCampus Montpellier R&D program is becoming well known, with 60% of team managers who responded to the survey being aware of it. This program allows teams to apply for platform support to develop new methodological approaches. In our satisfaction survey, nine potential projects were suggested for the next call, compared to an average of twelve submitted projects over the past three years. This indicates significant potential for the 2025 call for projects, with a submission deadline of Monday, September 30, 2024. Proposed topics include image segmentation, single-cell long sequencing, Correlative Electron Light Microscopy (CLEM), AlphaLink structure prediction, and extracellular vesicles.
The survey also enabled us to conduct technological foresight to anticipate necessary changes in the cores' offerings. Some needs have already been integrated into BioCampus Montpellier's services, such as the acquisition of high-sensitivity spectrometry equipment (TIMS Tof Pro, PPM) in 2023 and the development of fluxomics as part of an R&D program for the MAMMA platform in 2023. Survey participants also expressed the need for single-cell analysis and image analysis techniques coupled with AI, which are current development priorities for the MGX, PPM, and MRI facilities in the 2021-2026 contract. The qPCR-HD MGX site has been providing digital PCR services for many years.
Efforts are underway to establish new core facilities to address other needs, such as the microfluidics platform, in collaboration with Benoît Charlot's team (IES Montpellier), and the extracellular vesicle characterization platform (Carmen Martinez, PhyMedExp Montpellier).
Regarding spatial transcriptomics, BioCampus Montpellier has recognized the strategic importance of these approaches for several years. In 2023, the RHEM and MGX cores organized a foresight day on these technologies and are planning to equip themselves at various levels (RNAScope and CytAssist). However, given that these technologies have not yet reached full maturity, it would be prudent to wait a few months before investing in more extensive equipment.
The demand for bioinformatics support among BioCampus Montpellier users remains substantial. The MGX facility handles bioinformatics and biostatistical analyses for the sequencing projects it sequences. While the creation of a dedicated bioinformatics facility is often discussed, its operational model remains unconventional. In March 2024, BioCampus Montpellier's management consulted its steering committee, primarily composed of directors from stakeholder units. It was decided not to pursue the establishment of a dedicated service. Instead, the unit, its facilities, or their users could engage in existing local initiatives (such as ATGC or South Green).
Other needs have emerged that require further consideration, including the enhancement of recombinant protein production capabilities, currently only available for complex projects through the BACFLY core facility.
Furthermore, certain specific technologies, such as subcellular microdissection, nanobody screening and production, or Drosophila cryopreservation, have not yet been addressed but could potentially be developed by the existing facilities. The relevant cores are currently assessing the feasibility of introducing these services.
BioCampus Montpellier would like to thank all the teams who took part in the survey. The results highlight a strong alignment between the current needs of the teams and the available offerings. They also affirm that the primary directions for future development are accurately foreseen by the unit. Lastly, the unit has initiated a restructuring of its management department, considering both the perspectives of the platforms and those of their users. The forthcoming survey, slated for January 2025, will allow us to evaluate the impact of these efforts on enhancing our services.
