The IMAGINE Workshop: Novel Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) for label-free non-invasive 3D imaging of biological samples will provide participants with an introduction to Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM), an innovative imaging modality that enables high-resolution, three-dimensional visualization of biological samples without the need for fluorescent labels. Combining Optical Coherence Tomography with high-numerical-aperture optics and confocal-like detection, OCM can provide cellular and subcellular resolution while allowing imaging deep within biological tissues, 3D cell cultures and small organisms.

The workshop will explore the fundamental principles and operation of OCM, its applications in biological and marine research, and its advantages and limitations compared with fluorescence microscopy. Participants will also learn about OCM image interpretation and analysis and will have the opportunity to attend live demonstrations using a custom-built OCM system, including imaging of their own samples where feasible.

The workshop is aimed at researchers and core facility professionals interested in applying label-free, non-invasive 3D imaging to biological and marine research. The 1.5-day on-site workshop will take place on 14–15 December 2026 at the Medical University of Vienna and is jointly organised by EMBRC, EMBRC Belgium, MarineTraining.eu, Austrian BioImaging and Euro-BioImaging, with support from the European Commission through the IMAGINE project.