Dominik Pinkas, Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Photo: Czech-BioImaging archive.
Protein crystallization inside living cells offers an alternative route to structural biology that avoids protein purification and can preserve proteins in a quasi-native cellular environment. However, intracellular crystallization is often inefficient, and only a small fraction of cells may contain suitable crystals. Conventional serial X-ray crystallography therefore requires tens of thousands of crystal-containing cells, limiting studies of proteins that crystallize only rarely.
The newly developed IncelluloED workflow combines intracellular protein crystallization with in situ three-dimensional electron diffraction. The method enables high-resolution structure determination from a single protein crystal located inside a single cell. It builds on standard cryogenic electron-microscopy technologies, including cryo-light microscopy, correlative imaging, cryo-focused ion-beam milling and electron diffraction in a cryo-transmission electron microscope.
As a proof of concept, the researchers studied HEX-1 protein from the filamentous fungus Magnaporthe grisea. The protein was expressed in insect cells, where it formed intracellular microcrystals approximately 4-15 µm in size. Crystal-containing cells were deposited on transmission electron microscopy grids and vitrified by plunge freezing.
The frozen grids were first examined by cryo-light microscopy. Co-expression of a fluorescent marker made the crystals visible as sharply defined regions lacking fluorescence. Combined reflected light and fluorescence imaging provided the three-dimensional coordinates of selected crystals relative to the sample surface.
These coordinates were transferred to a cryo-FIB/SEM microscope by correlating the light-microscopy and electron-microscopy images. The targeted cells were then milled with a focused ion beam to produce electron-transparent lamellae approximately 250–300 nm thick. The lamellae were transferred to a cryo-TEM, where continuous-rotation electron-diffraction data were collected directly from the intracellular crystal. The complete workflow proceeds from crystal detection and plunge freezing through correlative localization, targeted lamella preparation and final diffraction-data acquisition.
Example of a prepared lamella containing an in cellulo MgHEX-1 crystal and its electron diffraction (ED) (a) shows HEX-1 crystal in negative fluorescence imaging, (b) and (c) show lamella preparation through the same crystal. The crystal is clearly visible in the TEM in (d) while (e) and (f) show diffraction patterns obtained from blue and yellow areas of the crystal, respectively. (Nature Communications 17, 2109 (2026))
Using a crystal volume of approximately 1.6 µm3, IncelluloED produced the previously unknown MgHEX-1 structure at 1.9 Å resolution. A second dataset collected from only about 0.8 µm3 yielded a structure at 2.2 Å resolution. Both structures contained detailed information sufficient for modelling most of the protein backbone and side chains.
intracellular
single-cell sample
resolution
For comparison, serial synchrotron X-ray crystallography achieved a resolution of 1.8 Å but required data from 62,496 intracellular crystals, representing a combined crystal volume of approximately 11 million µm3. The electron-diffraction and X-ray structures showed no major differences in the overall protein conformation.
IncelluloED therefore reduces the required sample volume by approximately seven orders of magnitude while retaining structural information comparable to established serial X-ray methods. Because the workflow uses instrumentation already available in many cryo-EM facilities, it could make high-resolution analysis of rare intracellular crystals accessible without requiring synchrotron or X-ray free-electron-laser experiments.
The method remains to be validated on a broader range of proteins and crystal symmetries. Nevertheless, it introduces a practical route for studying proteins that crystallize inefficiently, detecting structural heterogeneity that would otherwise be averaged across thousands of crystals, and investigating intracellular protein structures within their cellular environment. It represents an important step towards a “single-cell structural laboratory.”
Article: Bílá, Š., Pinkas, D., Khakurel, K. et al. Single-cell structural biology with intracellular electron crystallography. Nat Commun 17, 2109 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69205-6
Artistic illustration of IncelluloED method by Lucas J. Martin, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
25. září 2026
Ústav molekulární genetiky AV ČR, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 00 Praha 4 – Krč
Program bude mít dvě navazující části.
První část programu bude komunikační akcí projektu OP JAK „Modernizace VVI Czech-BioImaging“ (CZ.02.01.01/00/23_015/0008205). Nabídne cyklus krátkých příspěvků představujících progresivní zobrazovací technologie pořízené na pracovištích Czech-BioImaging s podporou tohoto projektu.
Během krátkých vystoupení představí odborníci a odbornice z našich pracovišť nové technologie, jejich možnosti i konkrétní využití ve výzkumu. Návštěvníci a návštěvnice se dozvědí například, jak lze propojit světlo se zvukem, jak hledat mikroskopickou „jehlu v kupce zmrzlého sena“, co umožňuje elektronová a Ramanova mikroskopie nebo jak může rentgenové zobrazování objevit „barvy“.
Účast na odpoledním programu od 14:00 je možná pouze po předchozí registraci.
14:00–14:10 | Zahájení akce
Pavel Hozák, ředitel Czech-BioImaging
14:10–14:20 | Když světlo mluví se zvukem
Daniel Hadraba, vedoucí Oddělení pokročilé mikroskopie a datové analýzy, Fyziologický ústav AV ČR, v. v. i.
14:20–14:30 | Hledání (mikroskopické) jehly v kupce (zmrzlého) sena
Dominik Pinkas, Servisní laboratoř elektronové mikroskopie, Ústav molekulární genetiky AV ČR, v. v. i.
14:30–14:40 | Vidět a nechat žít
Aleš Benda, vedoucí Servisní laboratoře Zobrazovací metody, Univerzita Karlova, BIOCEV
14:40–14:50 | Když vidět nestačí: Elektronová a Ramanova mikroskopie ve světě buněk
Marie Vancová, vedoucí Laboratoře elektronové mikroskopie, Biologické centrum AV ČR, v. v. i.
14:50–15:00 | Když rentgen objeví barvy
Luděk Šefc, vedoucí Centra pokročilého preklinického zobrazování, Univerzita Karlova
Na přednáškovou část budou volně navazovat komentované prohlídky vybraných pracovišť Czech-BioImaging v areálu AV ČR Praha-Krč. Návštěvníci tak budou mít příležitost nahlédnout přímo do prostředí výzkumných laboratoří a seznámit se s moderními zobrazovacími technologiemi zblízka.
Odpolední program následně plynule přejde do druhé části – Noci vědy. Od 17:00 do 22:00 se pracoviště Czech-BioImaging v areálu AV ČR Praha-Krč otevřou široké veřejnosti a nabídnou interaktivní program zaměřený na mikroskopii a moderní zobrazovací metody.
Do Noci vědy se zapojí také další pracoviště Czech-BioImaging po celém Česku, a návštěvníci tak budou mít možnost poznat svět biologického a medicínského zobrazování i na dalších místech republiky.
Program Noci vědy je k dispozici na www.nocvedy.cz.
Akce je podpořena z projektu OP JAK „Modernizace VVI Czech-BioImaging“ (CZ.02.01.01/00/23_015/0008205).
Foto použité v grafice: Jiří Černý, Ústav molekulární genetiky AV ČR, v. v. i.
Published in Nature Communications, the study by Gui et al. uncovers an unexpected role of the protein MCL1 in driving tumour metabolism, challenging a long-standing view of its function in cancer. The work was supported by advanced in vivo PET imaging performed at the Center for Advanced Preclinical Imaging, Charles University, a Czech-BioImaging and Euro-BioImaging facility. We spoke with the paper’s corresponding author, Dr. Mohamed Elgendy (Medical Clinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany), about the significance of the findings, their potential clinical impact, and the role of imaging in the study.
For years, cancer researchers have viewed the protein MCL1 primarily as a protective shield for tumors—a classical “anti-apoptotic” brake that prevents cancer cells from self-destructing. However, your new study shattered this view. Could you explain how MCL1 acts as more than just a shield, and why your findings represent such a major paradigm shift?
MCL1 is one of the most highly expressed proteins in several types of tumors and is an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, a family of proteins that are typically viewed as effectors crucially deciding about cell death or survival downstream of DNA damage, ER stress, metabolic crisis, etc.
The study thus represents a major paradigm shift: It positions – for the first time to the best of our knowledge – MCL1 as an upstream regulator that signals to a key signaling cascade (mTOR signaling), thereby challenging the classical view of MCL1 as merely a downstream effector. Moreover, the tumor-promoting role of MCL1 has so far been largely attributed to its anti-apoptotic function. Here, we show that the novel functions of MCL1 in controlling mTORC1 signaling and subsequently in regulating bioenergetics contribute to tumor promotion by MCL1.
The ground-breaking nature of this discovery is illustrated by the fact that it was selected among the best 50 Cancer articles in Editor’s highlight and received high visibility (Top 1% of the 349,562 tracked articles of a similar age in all journals and top 5% in Nature Comm. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-66831-4/metrics).
This completely changes our understanding of tumor metabolism. But how do these laboratory findings translate to real-world patient care, specifically for patients fighting melanoma or AML?
From a clinical preservative, the study has an immediate clinical relevance. Targeting MCL1 is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy with several inhibitors under clinical development. Our findings show that MCL1 inhibitors act to inhibit mTOR signaling. mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) are used clinically in cancer therapy and therefore the unexpected and unintended property of MCL1 inhibitors on mTOR inhibition we show here is very relevant clinically.
Moreover, several clinical trials testing MCL1 inhibitors have been halted or discontinued due to reported cardiotoxicity. Importantly, in the light of our novel insights, we identify a crucial mechanism of the cardiotoxicity of MCL1 inhibitors and finally devise a dietary approach to dramatically ameliorate such cardiotoxicity. This is likely to be vital for further advancing the use of those inhibitors in clinical testing. Additionally, our data establish MCL1-mTORC1-HK2 as an important prognostic axis in melanoma and AML.
Your study relied on advanced imaging approaches to understand how MCL1 influences tumor metabolism in vivo. Could you explain how imaging technologies helped validate your findings?
Our in-vitro data indicated that depletion or inhibition of MCL1 leads to a decline in glucose metabolism and glycolysis. As metabolism of cancer cells in vitro may differ from that of tumors in vivo, we aimed to assess the role of MCL1 in regulating tumor metabolism in vivo
We validated our findings in vivo through collaboration with the group of Prof. Ludek Sefc and the team of the Center for Advanced Preclinical Imaging (CAPI) at the Charles University in Prague, which is supported by Euro-BioImaging and Czech-BioImaging funding. We exploited the advanced imaging technique of in vivo 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (18FDG PET), an imaging technique that assesses the uptake of radio-labeled 18FDG and is routinely used to monitor glucose metabolism in tumors 18FDG-PET scan. This technique allows for the direct quantification of glucose uptake, an indicative readout of glucose metabolism and glycolysis.
In-vivo 18FDG-PET scan was performed on tumor subcutaneous xenograft derived from melanoma cells that were either depleted or not of MCL1. This analysis further confirmed the findings obtained from the CHL-1 model. We have further normalized the data according to injected FDG, quantified FDG uptake in internal organs (heart, brain and kidney), and quantified PET imaging calculating SUVmax alongside gamma counting.
Nod skid gamma (NSG) mice received single subcutaneous flank injections with melanoma transduced with either scrambled shRNA or doxycycline -inducible shRNA against MCL1 on both flanks. Once tumors were established, mice were given drinking water containing 1 mg ml-1 doxycycline and 1% sucrose for induction of MCL1 shRNA expression in vivo for five additional days. Mice were fasted overnight (14-18h), weighed and heated prior to intravenous injection of 18FDG through the tail vein (activity approx. 6 MBq per mouse). Animals were placed into heated induction chamber under anesthesia (1.5% isoflurane) for 40min uptake. The 10min CT-PET imaging (Albira, Bruker, Germany) under anesthesia (1.5% isoflurane) was performed running PET measurement (10min, PET single, offset 35mm) & CT (2x 8min, 125mm LOW 400kV/400µA, offset 35mm). Tumors were isolated, weighed, and their size determined using digital caliper. The 18FDG activity in blood samples and extracted tumors was measured using a 2480 Wizard2® Automatic Gamma Counter (PerkinElmer, USA), and corrected for the half-life decay. CT-PET image analysis and co-registration were carried out using PMOD analysis software (PMOD Technologies LLC; Switzerland). Consistent with the in-vitro results, MCL1 depletion in tumors led to decline in 18FDG signal as compared to control tumors, suggestive of inhibition of glucose metabolism in MCL1-depleted tumors. Of note, at the time of tumor isolation there was no significant difference in tumor size between both groups of tumors. Establishing the control and MCL1-deplted tumors on both flanks of mice controlled for the inter-mouse and inter-organ variabilities of 18FDG uptake as it allowed comparison of two tumors established in the same mouse.
Original Nature Communications article: Gui, W., Paral, P., Dhamija, B. et al. MCL1 modulates mTORC1 signaling to promote bioenergetics and tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 16, 10841 (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66831-4
Authors:
Markéta Schmidt Černohorská, Euro-BioImaging Scientific Ambassador
Mohamed Elgendy, Medical Clinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Daniela Klimešová, Czech-BioImaging Project Manager
21-23 September 2026
Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
We are delighted to invite you to a three-day scanR User Meeting & Advanced AI Training focused on advanced image analysis and AI-assisted workflows in the scanR platform. The meeting is jointly organized by EVIDENT and the Light Microscopy Core Facility at IMG Prague which is a part of the Prague Node of Euro-BioImaging ERIC.
The event is intended for scanR users and researchers working with high-content microscopy. It combines a one-day user meeting with two days of practical hands-on training focused on AI-assisted segmentation, custom AI model training, user dataset processing, and integration of AI models into scanR analysis workflows.
Topics covered include:
The event is strongly supported by EVIDENT, with three application specialists, the lead software developer of the scanR platform, and additional experts from Japan joining us on site. This makes the training a unique opportunity to discuss advanced workflows, troubleshooting, and future developments of the scanR platform directly with the expert team.
The organizing team consists of Ivan Novotný and Jan Valečka from the Light Microscopy Core Facility at IMG Prague together with Pavel Moudrý from the DNA Replication Dynamics Group, Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Palacký University Olomouc.
International exchange is one of the most effective ways to advance scientific expertise. Earlier this month, Czech-BioImaging welcomed Vaishali Kailaje, Senior Scientific Assistant, Facility In-charge, Digital Imaging Facility at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India, for a two-week visit through the Global BioImaging International Job Shadowing Program.
From 1 to 12 June 2026, Vaishali visited several Czech-BioImaging facilities in Prague, gaining hands-on experience with state-of-the-art imaging technologies while working alongside imaging specialists from across our network. Her programme combined one-on-one mentoring, practical training on cutting-edge imaging platforms, and participation in the Super-Resolution in Light Microscopy Course, offering a comprehensive overview of the expertise and technologies available within Czech-BioImaging.
Vaishali Kailaje (second from right) with the IMG Light Microscopy Core Facility team: Jan Valečka, Michaela Blažíková, Ondrej Horváth and Ivan Novotný.
Reflecting on her objectives, Vaishali explains: “The primary goal of my visit was to gain hands-on experience with fluorescence techniques such as FRET, FRAP, FLIM, and FCS, as well as super-resolution methods including STED, SIM, STORM, and PALM. I am delighted to say that this objective was fully achieved thanks to the excellent guidance and support provided by the experts and mentors I had the privilege of meeting.”
During her stay, Vaishali trained across four Czech-BioImaging facilities in Prague. At the Imaging Methods Core Facility of BIOCEV (CUNI IMCF BIOCEV), she explored label-free imaging, FLIM, FCS, lattice light-sheet microscopy and STED. At the Light Microscopy Core Facility (IMG LM), she focused on live-cell imaging, high-content screening, FLIM-FRET, TIRF and spinning disk microscopy while participating in the Super-Resolution in Light Microscopy Course. At the Institute of Physiology BioImaging Facility (IPHYS BIF), she gained experience with Brillouin microscopy alongside label-free imaging and FLIM. Her programme concluded at the Institute of Experimental Medicine Microscopy Service Centre (IEM MSC), where she explored live-cell super-resolution imaging using Airyscan, intravital imaging of mice brain and image analysis using Imaris software.
At the IPHYS BIF with Šimon Vrana in front of the Brillouin microscope.
At the IEM MSC with Štěpán Kortus and Iva Švecová.
Throughout the programme, Vaishali received practical training on the Leica STED system, Zeiss Elyra for SIM and TIRF-SMLM, Olympus SoRa and ScanR systems, the Discoverer™ Brillouin Microscope, the NanoLive label-free imaging system, and the Akoya multiplex imaging platform. She also observed correlative cryo-electron microscopy workflows and intravital mouse brain imaging for the first time – these experiences she describes as among the highlights of her visit.
Working closely with imaging specialists across the Czech-BioImaging network, Vaishali particularly appreciated the openness with which the teams shared their expertise, workflows, and protocols. A highlight of the programme was the Super-Resolution in Light Microscopy Course, whose combination of lectures and extensive practical sessions significantly deepened her understanding of super-resolution imaging and the optimization of acquisition parameters. She expressed special thanks to Ivan Novotný for enabling her participation in the course and for creating an excellent learning environment.
Beyond developing technical skills, the visit created valuable opportunities to build professional relationships across the Czech-BioImaging community. These new connections will continue beyond the job shadowing, providing a network of colleagues she can turn to for advice and future collaboration. The knowledge and experience gained during the programme will support the further development of imaging applications and instrumentation at ACTREC, strengthening the facility’s ability to support researchers interested in advanced microscopy techniques.
Looking back on her two weeks with Czech-BioImaging, Vaishali says the experience extended far beyond learning new microscopy techniques. “My visit was much more than a training course—it was a journey that fostered knowledge, friendships, and future collaborations.”
Marie Olšinová showing the Abberior Instruments STED microscope at the CUNI IMCF BIOCEV.
Kateřina Paldusová from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, a Czech-BioImaging user, reviewing STED microscopy images with Aleš Benda.
Vaishali’s visit was made possible through the Global BioImaging International Job Shadowing Program, which supports international exchange between imaging facilities worldwide. She expressed her sincere gratitude to the Global BioImaging community for the travel grant that made the visit possible, to India BioImaging for introducing her to the Global BioImaging platform, and to the Czech-BioImaging network for providing such an outstanding learning opportunity. She noted that the experience had been immensely enriching, both professionally and personally, and that the knowledge, friendships, and professional connections established during her stay would remain invaluable throughout her career.
International exchanges like this demonstrate the value of sharing expertise across imaging communities. We were delighted to welcome Vaishali to the Czech-BioImaging network and look forward to seeing the new collaborations and scientific advances that grow from this experience.
From 23 to 25 June 2026, Czech-BioImaging, through its CUNI IMCF BIOCEV facility, welcomed 11 participants to the Prague edition of the Intro to BioImage Analysis with Python course. Together with several staff members from Czech-BioImaging Core Facilities, they formed part of a total of 55 participants registered across all four host sites. The three-day training organized by the Euro-BioImaging ERIC formed part of the EVOLVE project and provided life scientists with practical experience in modern bioimage analysis using Python and Jupyter notebooks.
The course was organised as a distributed hybrid event across four Euro-BioImaging Nodes, allowing participants to attend in person at their local site while joining a shared international programme of lectures and hands-on sessions. Alongside the Prague Node hosted by the IMCF BIOCEV facility, the training took place simultaneously at the University of Gothenburg (NMI Sweden Node), the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (PPBI Node, Portugal) and The Francis Crick Institute (UK Node). This collaborative format combined local support from trainers with opportunities to learn and interact with participants and experts across Europe.
The programme introduced participants to reproducible bioimage analysis workflows in Python. During practical sessions, they worked with Jupyter notebooks to learn image processing techniques, segmentation, feature extraction and workflow automation. The course also explored recent developments in AI-based image analysis, including neural networks, deep learning and the use of pre-trained models from the BioImage Model Zoo for microscopy data analysis.
A valuable contribution to the Prague edition came from Zuzana Čočková, data analyst at the CUNI IMCF BIOCEV facility, who joined the programme as a lecturer on the final day. During her half-day session, she introduced participants to accessible, ready-to-use deep learning tools for bioimage analysis, showing that powerful AI methods are within reach for scientists even without extensive technical experience. In the hands-on part, participants segmented cells and organelles in bioimages of diverse modalities and sample types using Cellpose, empanada-napari, and pre-trained community models available through the BioImage Model Zoo. The practical sessions were supported throughout the course by staff members from the CUNI IMCF BIOCEV and IMG LM Core Facilities, who provided guidance and assisted with individual questions and troubleshooting.
Reflecting on both the importance of Python in modern life sciences and the enthusiastic response from participants, Zuzana said: “In my humble opinion, Python skills are becoming really important for life scientists. Even getting the basics down means you can analyse your data reproducibly, and it gives you flexibility you just don’t get with closed software. And since most modern AI tools are written in Python, once you’re comfortable in it you can plug these cool methods straight into your workflows. Judging from the number of participants who attended the course, the interest is huge — and I’ve already had people asking when the next one is going to be!” The strong interest shown by participants highlighted the growing demand for practical training in reproducible bioimage analysis and modern computational methods.
Beyond developing technical skills, the distributed format encouraged the exchange of knowledge between researchers from different institutions and countries, illustrating the value of coordinated training within the Euro-BioImaging community. By hosting the Prague edition through its CUNI IMCF BIOCEV facility, Czech-BioImaging contributed to strengthening bioimage analysis expertise and promoting reproducible image analysis practices within the life sciences.
We thank all participants, trainers and partner Nodes for making the course a success!
One of the highlights of this year’s Photons, Electrons, and Sausages – User Meeting and BBQ 2026 (read more here) was the announcement of the winners of the Prague Node Picture of the Year 2026 competition, sponsored by Nikon.
The competition celebrates outstanding microscopy images created by users of the Euro-BioImaging Prague Node, showcasing both scientific excellence and the beauty of the microscopic world.
🥇 1st place: The Maw of the Sciaphilla by Tomáš Figura
Institution: Faculty of Science, CUNI
Taken at: CUNI VMCF
The image reveals the flower’s delicate reproductive structures, with blue tepals surrounding red stamens bearing violet pollen. Three germinating pollen grains are visible in dark violet, capturing the early stages of fertilisation. Instrument/software: JEOL JSM-IT200 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Adobe Photoshop.
🥈 2nd place: Sea Giant at Large by Martina Vinopalová
Institution: Faculty of Science, CUNI
Taken at: CUNI IMCF BIOCEV
🥉 3rd place: Fragile flowers by Štěpánka Martišková
Institution: Faculty of Science, CUNI
Taken at: CUNI VMCF
Martina presents an expansion microscopy image of a marine ciliate collected from the seashore of Uruguay. The image highlights the organism’s cilia (orange, acetylated tubulin) responsible for locomotion, together with the characteristic alveolar plates (cyan, NHS ester) that form part of its cell cortex. Instrument/software: Nikon CSU-W1, Huygens, Fiji, Imaris.
Štěpánka’s image showcases growth cones of differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. The image visualises the dynamic structures at the tips of growing neurites, where microtubules (green) and actin filaments (magenta) coordinate cell movement and axon guidance during neuronal development. Instrument/software: Leica SP8, ImageJ.
Congratulations to all winners and thank you to everyone who contributed their microscopy images throughout the past year. We also thank Nikon for sponsoring the prizes awarded to this year’s three winners.
The 2026–2027 Prague Node Picture of the Year competition is now underway.
From June 2026 through May 2027, a Picture of the Month will be selected each month from images submitted by users of the Euro-BioImaging Prague Node. The twelve monthly winning images will automatically qualify for the Prague Node Picture of the Year 2027 competition.
Researchers and facility users of the Prague Node are invited to submit their best microscopy images throughout the year, showcasing both scientific discoveries and the beauty of the microscopic world.
Find all eligibility criteria, submission requirements and competition rules in the Picture of the Month guidelines, and follow the Picture of the Monthly winners page to see each month’s selected image as the competition unfolds.
We congratulate this year’s winners once again and look forward to another year of outstanding microscopy images from the Prague Node imaging community.
On 25 June 2026, Czech-BioImaging users, facility staff and microscopy enthusiasts came together for Photons, Electrons, and Sausages – User Meeting and BBQ 2026. The afternoon combined microscopy-themed activities with networking over food and drinks, bringing members of the imaging community out of the labs and into the sunshine at the IMG pond area to meet, exchange experiences and learn more about the facilities that support their research.
The event was organised by the Prague facilities of Czech-BioImaging and the Prague Node of Euro-BioImaging. Around 100 participants attended the event, including facility staff, users and representatives of industry partners such as SVEN BioLabs, Carl Zeiss, TESCAN, Optixs, Nikon, Specion and MtM, highlighting the strong collaboration between research infrastructures, academia and industry within the Czech-BioImaging microscopy community.
Throughout the afternoon, each facility presented a microscopy-inspired activity, giving participants the opportunity to discover different imaging techniques in a fun and interactive way. Visitors tested their knowledge of fluorescent proteins in FP Battles hosted by IPHYS BIF, challenged their memory and reflexes at the Brainstorm Station prepared by CUNI BIOCEV IMCF, tried a miniature version of curling in MicroCurling organised by IEM MCF, experienced crucial steps of electron microscopy sample preparation in Catch & Carry presented by IMG EM CF, and explored the fascinating properties of plants under the microscope in Fascination by Plants with IEB IF.
One of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the Picture of the Year 2026 winners, sponsored by Nikon, followed by the announcement of the winning facility gig. Congratulations to all participants who contributed to this year’s competition and activities. Read more about the Picture of the Year 2026 winners and the launch of the new competition season here.
The event was also attended by Euro-BioImaging Scientific Ambassador Markéta Schmidt Černohorská from Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem. Throughout the afternoon, she engaged with participants and introduced opportunities offered by Euro-BioImaging, including access to cutting-edge imaging technologies and services, international collaboration and the benefits of engaging with the Euro-BioImaging community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to another successful gathering of the Prague microscopy community.
See you in June 2027!
12-15 October 2026
CEITEC BUT, Purkyňova 123, Brno-Královo Pole
Are you interested in advanced microscopy, quantitative phase imaging (QPI), or biophotonics? Then mark your calendar for PHASE in Brno 2026, an international scientific meeting dedicated to Quantitative Phase Imaging, taking place on 12–15 October 2026 in Brno, Czech Republic. The event is co-organized by the Biophotonics Core Facility at CEITEC Brno University of Technology, a facility of the Czech-BioImaging research infrastructure.
Whether you are already using QPI methods in your research, developing new imaging approaches, or simply interested in learning about the latest advances in label-free microscopy, PHASE in Brno offers an excellent opportunity to connect with the international QPI community.
The conference will bring together leading experts, technology developers, facility scientists, and researchers from a broad range of disciplines to discuss recent developments and emerging applications of quantitative phase imaging. Participants can look forward to inspiring keynote lectures, scientific presentations, and valuable networking opportunities in a collaborative and friendly atmosphere.
We particularly encourage Czech-BioImaging users and collaborators to attend and share their research with the international community. The meeting provides an ideal platform to exchange ideas, establish new collaborations, and discover how QPI technologies can advance your research.
Registration is open!
Important dates:
We look forward to meeting many members of the Czech-BioImaging community in Brno.
The Czech-BioImaging community was strongly represented at the 26th European Light Microscopy Initiative (ELMI) Meeting, held from 16–19 June 2026 in Coimbra, Portugal. Hosted by the Portuguese Platform of BioImaging (PPBI) and the University of Coimbra, ELMI 2026 brought together researchers, imaging facility experts, technology developers, and industry partners from across Europe and beyond to discuss the latest advances in light microscopy and bioimaging.
Recognized as one of the leading annual meetings of the European microscopy community, ELMI provides a unique platform for scientific exchange, technology showcases, facility networking, and community building. This year’s programme featured developments in advanced microscopy technologies, image analysis, artificial intelligence, spatial biology, and emerging imaging approaches, attracting participants from imaging facilities and research infrastructures across Europe.
Representatives from several Czech-BioImaging Facilities attended ELMI 2026, including MUNI CELLIM CEITEC, IMG LM, CUNI IMCF BIOCEV, CUNI VMCF, IEB IF, and IEM MSC, using the opportunity to strengthen connections within the European bioimaging community and engage with colleagues from imaging facilities, research infrastructures, and industry. ELMI continues to be an important venue for exchanging experiences and discussing common challenges in facility operation, user support, training, and the implementation of new technologies.
A valuable aspect of the meeting was the interaction with colleagues from Euro-BioImaging ERIC and its Nodes across Europe. These discussions provided opportunities to share experiences, explore future collaborations, and strengthen Czech-BioImaging’s involvement within the broader Euro-BioImaging community. Such exchanges play an important role in ensuring that Czech-BioImaging remains closely connected to European developments in imaging technologies, facility services, and research infrastructure activities.
The Czech-BioImaging delegation also met with microscopy manufacturers and technology providers participating in the extensive industrial exhibition. These interactions offered insights into the latest instrumentation, imaging solutions, and technological trends, helping Czech-BioImaging Facilities stay informed about innovations that may benefit the Czech research community in the future.
Beyond the scientific programme, ELMI 2026 once again demonstrated the importance of community building within the European imaging ecosystem. The meeting provided an excellent environment for networking, exchanging ideas, and strengthening professional relationships that support future collaborations across facilities, institutions, and countries.
We thank the ELMI 2026 organizers and our colleagues from the Portuguese Platform of BioImaging for hosting an inspiring and welcoming meeting in the historic city of Coimbra. We return with new contacts, valuable insights, and renewed motivation to continue supporting excellence in bioimaging and microscopy services within Czech-BioImaging and the wider European imaging community.
Photos are courtesy of Jiří Černý and Ivan Novotný, IMG LM CF
Czech-BioImaging welcomed Prof. Radomír Pánek, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), during his visit to the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IMG CAS), home to the Czech-BioImaging Hub and two Czech-BioImaging imaging facilities.
The visit was part of the President’s recently launched series of visits to CAS institutes, aimed at strengthening dialogue across the Academy and gaining first-hand insight into the activities and challenges of its research institutions. More information about the initiative is available on the website of the Czech Academy of Sciences: https://www.avcr.cz/cs/veda-a-vyzkum/chemicke-vedy/Radomir-Panek-zahajil-navstevy-pracovist-chce-posilit-jednotnost-Akademie-ved/
During the visit, Prof. Pánek delivered a lecture entitled Activities of the Academy Council and Strategic Priorities introducing the current priorities of the Academy and discussing topics relevant to the future development of Czech research. After that he met with Czech-BioImaging Director Prof. Pavel Hozák, members of the Czech-BioImaging Hub team, and staff of the Electron Microscopy Core Facility and the Light Microscopy Core Facility, both part of the Czech-BioImaging network.
Representatives of Czech-BioImaging introduced the infrastructure’s nationwide network of imaging facilities, its user community, and the services it provides to researchers from academia and industry. The discussion also highlighted the role of research infrastructures in supporting scientific excellence and technological innovation in the Czech Republic.
As part of the programme, the Electron Microscopy Core Facility presented its unique workflow for solving protein structures from individual intercellular protein crystals, recently described in a Nature Communications publication. The workflow enables sidestepping laborious purification steps and utilization of more accessible cryoEM equipment instead of large scale synchrotron facilities.
The Light Microscopy Core Facility showcased its portfolio of advanced imaging technologies and introduced the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) developed to support image processing and data management. The system provides users with access to high-performance virtual workstations, a dedicated deconvolution server, and both short-term high-speed and long-term storage resources, enabling efficient handling and analysis of increasingly large imaging datasets.
The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate how Czech-BioImaging supports researchers through access to cutting-edge imaging technologies, expert support, training, and data-processing solutions. We appreciate the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the leadership of the Czech Academy of Sciences and welcome initiatives that foster closer connections across the Czech research community.
The Czech-BioImaging community is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Ivan Rektor, an internationally respected neurologist, neuroscientist, and pioneer of neuroimaging research. Professor Rektor passed away on 14 June 2026 at the age of 77 after a long illness. Throughout his distinguished career at Masaryk University, St. Anne’s University Hospital, and CEITEC, he made lasting contributions to the fields of epilepsy, movement disorders, cognitive neuroscience, and brain imaging. He also served as Vice-Rector of Masaryk University and was widely recognized as one of the leading figures of Czech and European neuroscience.
For Czech-BioImaging and the wider imaging community, Professor Rektor played an important role as the Czech Republic’s Scientific Delegate for Neuroimaging at Euro-BioImaging ERIC, a position to which he was appointed in 2019. In this role, he helped represent and strengthen the Czech neuroimaging community within the European research infrastructure landscape.
Over the course of his career, Professor Rektor helped establish advanced neurological and neuroimaging methods in the Czech Republic, led internationally recognized research programs, mentored generations of scientists and clinicians, and received numerous distinctions for his scientific achievements and lifelong contribution to neuroscience.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues, students, and friends. His scientific legacy and commitment to advancing neuroimaging research will continue to inspire future generations.
Next Page »
