The first edition of the WoW Award concluded with an inspiring ceremony at the EMBL Imaging Centre, celebrating the extraordinary scientific images created by researchers and imaging experts across EMBL. Hosted in front of the large LED wall – the Window of Wonder – centerpiece of the The World of Molecular Biology exhibition, the event brought together EMBL scientists, imaging experts and scientific visitors to recognise how imaging technologies can reveal both groundbreaking science and striking visual narratives across the scales of biology.

The award was launched as a collaborative initiative between the EMBL Imaging Centre and EMBL Science Education and Public Engagement (SEPE), with the aim of showcasing the diversity, creativity, and scientific excellence of imaging projects from across EMBL’s sites. From October 2025 to January 2026 EMBL researchers across sites, their collaborators as well as users of EMBL imaging facilities were invited to submit their most stunning images.The exhibition now features ten award-winning images selected by a jury composed of Robert Prevedel, Group Leader at EMBL Heidelberg; Virginia Pierini, Service Manager at the EMBL Imaging Centre; and Briony Jackson, Head of SEPE. The selected works highlighted a remarkable range of imaging modalities, including fluorescence confocal microscopy, light-sheet microscopy, and electron microscopy.

Alongside the jury awards, the public was invited to vote for their most favourite images during an event hosted by EMBL and the SEPE team – the Day of Microscopy – and on the exhibition’s homepage, bridging the gap between researchers and the wider public. The public vote highlighted the enthusiasm and curiosity that imaging can inspire far beyond the academic circles.

The event also celebrated the collaborative spirit of the initiative, honoring the contributors who submitted their images, supported the call for entries, engaged the public, and brought the visual presentation to life.

Most importantly, the success of this first edition has created excitement for what comes next.

The WoW Award was envisioned not as a one-time event, but as the beginning of a growing platform to showcase imaging-enabled discoveries, artistic perspectives in science, and the vibrant EMBL imaging community. Following the overwhelmingly positive response from participants and visitors alike, anticipation is already building for the next edition.

Until then, the award-winning images will continue to light up the LED wall, offering our visitors a glimpse into the beauty, complexity, and creativity of modern biological imaging.