{"id":87335,"date":"2026-10-21T10:56:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T10:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/?p=87335"},"modified":"2026-10-21T10:56:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T10:56:08","slug":"bringing-the-imaging-community-together-highlights-from-the-embl-imaging-centre-symposium-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/blog\/2026\/10\/bringing-the-imaging-community-together-highlights-from-the-embl-imaging-centre-symposium-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Bringing the Imaging Community Together: Highlights from the EMBL Imaging Centre Symposium 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The EMBL Imaging Centre Symposium 2026<\/strong> brought together researchers, imaging specialists from research labs and facilities, technology developers, and industry representatives for two days of scientific exchange, inspiring discussions, and new connections at EMBL in Heidelberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the scientific programme, one of the most rewarding aspects of the symposium was the enthusiastic participation of our community. From vibrant Q&A sessions after the talks to animated conversations during coffee breaks, the event provided plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore new perspectives in biological imaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ideas brewing during the coffee break. Credits: Stuart Ingham\/EMBL Photolab
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Exploring biology through the latest imaging technologies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The scientific programme showcased how advances in light and electron microscopy are enabling researchers to explore biological systems across scales, from molecular structures to complex cellular processes. A central theme throughout the symposium was the integration of complementary imaging techniques to gain a more comprehensive understanding of biological structure, dynamics, and function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several talks highlighted the power of cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography to reveal the molecular organisation of proteins, membrane channels, cellular junctions, and complex protein assemblies. These techniques are providing new insights into fundamental biological processes, including bacterial survival, cell-to-cell communication, protein regulation, and disease mechanisms. Combined with advanced sample preparation methods, they are also expanding the possibilities for studying challenging specimens in their native cellular context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme further emphasised the potential of correlative and multimodal imaging, bringing together fluorescence microscopy, live-cell imaging, super-resolution microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and computational modelling. By combining information about molecular localisation, dynamics, ultrastructure, and mechanical properties, these approaches are helping researchers investigate processes such as vesicle trafficking, neuronal communication, chromatin organisation, and interactions between pathogens and their hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advances in fluorescence lifetime imaging and single-molecule techniques demonstrated new opportunities to visualise RNA in living cells, resolve nanoscale organisation, and distinguish molecular interactions that cannot be captured through fluorescence intensity alone. Meanwhile, developments in cryogenic sample preparation and rapid freezing are helping researchers capture dynamic biological events with increasingly precise spatial and temporal resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across these diverse applications, the symposium highlighted a shared direction for the field: moving beyond the optimisation of individual imaging techniques towards integrated approaches that connect molecular structure with cellular function. These developments are opening new avenues for research spanning fundamental cell biology, infection, neuroscience, immunology, and plant disease, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration between biologists, imaging specialists, and computational scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Invited speaker Juha Huiskonen presents his research, supported by the EMBL IC service team. Credits: Shatila K\u00f6rner <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A community that thrives on exchange<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The scientific energy extended well beyond the lecture hall. The interactive community discussion encouraged attendees to share their perspectives, raise questions, and exchange ideas about the challenges and opportunities facing the imaging community. Lively Q&A sessions following the scientific presentations further demonstrated the audience’s engagement, with thoughtful questions extending the conversations beyond the talks themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poster sessions and coffee breaks were equally vibrant, providing informal spaces for researchers to present their work, connect with colleagues, and explore potential collaborations. A particularly valuable aspect was the opportunity for presenters to receive feedback directly from more senior researchers and experienced members of the community. These conversations offered fresh perspectives, practical suggestions, and opportunities to discuss new approaches to scientific challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The enthusiasm and openness of the participants made these exchanges a real highlight of the symposium, reinforcing the importance of bringing together researchers at different career stages and from different scientific backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Attendees mingle during the evening poster session over wine, cheese, and dessert. Credits: Shatila K\u00f6rner.
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Thank you for making it possible<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A successful event like this depends on the commitment and generosity of many people. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our sponsors (Abberior Instruments, Tescan, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Zeiss)<\/strong>, whose support helped make the symposium possible, as well as to our invited speakers, presenters, and everyone who contributed to the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most importantly, thank you to all the participants for bringing your enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to engage. Your active involvement in the talks, poster sessions, coffee-break conversations, and community discussion made this symposium a genuinely collaborative and inspiring experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the EMBL IC, we believe that advancing imaging technologies goes hand in hand with building a strong, connected scientific community. The energy and openness we experienced throughout the symposium reinforced just how valuable these opportunities to meet, learn from one another, and exchange ideas can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for being part of the EMBL Imaging Centre Symposium 2026. We look forward to continuing the conversation and welcoming you back to the EMBL IC in the future!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Group snapshot: Bringing everyone together. Credits: Stuart Ingham\/EMBL Photolab <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The EMBL Imaging Centre Symposium 2026 brought together researchers, imaging specialists from research labs and facilities, technology developers, and industry representatives for two days of scientific exchange, inspiring discussions, and new connections at EMBL in Heidelberg. Beyond the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":87337,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"embl_taxonomy":[],"class_list":["post-87335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"acf":[],"embl_taxonomy_terms":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/EMBL-IC-Symposium-2026.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87335"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87347,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87335\/revisions\/87347"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87335"},{"taxonomy":"embl_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/embl_taxonomy?post=87335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}