Cutting-edge electron and light microscopy technologies
We provide open access for researchers to cutting-edge imaging technologies integrating methods in the field of electron and light microscopy.
The rapid technological developments of the last two decades have led the scientific community to achieve biological and medical discoveries at an ever-increasing pace. Today, outstanding advances in imaging technologies such as electron (EM) and light microscopy (LM) enable us to directly visualise the molecular machinery of life at an unprecedented level of detail. As seeing is understanding, cutting-edge microscopy is becoming a central technology platform for the life sciences. However, only a minority of scientists have access to the latest imaging technologies as the devices are expensive and complex in their set-up, maintenance and usage.
The EMBL Imaging Centre represents a new EMBL service unit for the highest resolution EM and LM technologies and the combination thereof (correlative technologies), including academically developed methods not yet commercially available. The main mission of the EMBL Imaging Centre is to rapidly make the most advanced microscopy technologies available to the international user community from both academia and industry to enable new ground-breaking research that crosses the scales of biology.
The EMBL Imaging Centre will be a one-stop-shop for all imaging needs. We provide users with access to a powerful and synergistic portfolio including academically developed methods not yet commercially available, we support their projects from sample preparation to image analysis, and we offer tailored training opportunities to users and imaging service facility managers.
Currently, during interim operation, the EMBL Imaging Centre is providing access to cryo-EM services in collaboration with EMBL’s Structural and Computational Biology Unit, available for use by external scientists with both single particle and tomography projects.
to new imaging technologies with a special focus on correlating technologies.
by expert technical staff throughout the whole imaging process: from sample preparation to imaging technology to data analysis.
of users and facility staff in new imaging technologies and workflows.
of newly developed technologies and workflows, also in ‘open innovation’ with corporate partners.
Generous support for the EMBL Imaging Centre project is provided by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research and the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Wuerttemberg, donations by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation and HeidelbergCement, as well as our industry partners Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Leica Microsystems, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Abberior.
On Monday, 26th of April 2021, our first electron microscope got delivered – exciting times!
The main construction of the new EMBL Imaging Centre was completed – now it is the time to get the laboratories equipped!
We are very happy to welcome our new Cryo-Electron Tomography Specialist Anna.
We are very happy to welcome our new Cryo-Electron Microscopy Specialist Simon.
The EMBL Imaging Centre is always looking for highly motivated outstanding people to join the team. All interested should be fascinated by imaging technologies, interested in providing service to the wide user community, and curious about how to combine service provision with technology development in the latest imaging technologies. Current vacancies can be found on EMBL’s job opportunity page:
We are currently looking for a Service Manager to support the operation of the EMBL Imaging Centre regarding all its services, especially regarding user access, engagement and training.
Speculative applications of researchers from all disciplines including your CV can be sent any time to the EMBL Imaging Centre Programme Manager, Stephanie Alexander.
July 2021 – New life science Imaging Centre preparing for user access
December 2019 – EMBL and Leica sign open innovation collaboration agreement
April 2019 – Foundation stone laid for EMBL Imaging Centre