The BioImaging Facility at the Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IPHYS) has recently expanded its technological portfolio with a new Brillouin microscopy system. The acquisition was made possible through the OP JAK project funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MEYS) and represents a strategic investment into progressive technologies that were previously not available in open access within Czech-BioImaging or elsewhere in Czechia. As part of the national infrastructure Czech-BioImaging and the Euro-BioImaging Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy Prague Node, the facility now offers Brillouin microscopy in open access to the scientific community.
Šimon Vrana, Imaging Specialist at IPHYS BioImaging Facility supports users in applying advanced biophysical imaging methods to their research questions: “I am specialized in Atomic Force Microscopy, Brillouin and other biophysical methodologies. My role in the facility is to support our users with different imaging approaches to address scientific questions in this field of biomechanics.”
Brillouin microscopy is an emerging optical modality that enables non-contact, label-free mapping of mechanical properties in biological samples. The technique measures the interaction between laser light and thermally driven acoustic waves within a sample, providing information about its internal mechanical characteristics.
By extracting parameters such as the longitudinal elastic modulus and viscoelastic behavior, researchers can investigate how stiffness and mechanical heterogeneity influence biological systems. This is particularly relevant because changes in mechanical properties are often associated with development, differentiation, and disease.
Although Brillouin microscopy has been widely used in cell and tissue research, the first users of the new system at IPHYS are working in plant biology. Current projects include measurements on Physcomitrella moss provided by Imaging Facility Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, comparing genetically modified lines with wild-type counterparts.
The system is suitable for a broad spectrum of samples:
In general, any sample compatible with confocal microscopy can be investigated, provided it is sufficiently transparent and preferably adherent.
The facility invested in a commercial Brillouin microscope (Discoverer, CellSense) to ensure reliability, robustness, and accessibility for users. Unlike many custom-built systems, the commercial platform enables streamlined operation and faster onboarding.
“We want to offer Brillouin Microscopy as a service, and the CellSense system is very reliable and user-friendly. After a short training and some troubleshooting, users should be able to measure samples themselves.”
This strategic choice allows Czech-BioImaging to provide sustainable open access to technology without the need for extensive in-house development and maintenance.
A key advantage of the IPHYS setup is its integration of Brillouin microscopy with spinning disk fluorescence microscopy, including the Olympus SoRa super-resolution system. This multimodal configuration enables researchers to correlate mechanical mapping with high-resolution fluorescence imaging.
In practice, this means that users can:
“Users can examine a cell sample stained with fluorescent dyes, identify a protein of interest, and then shift to Brillouin microscopy to measure local viscoelastic properties without dyes or mechanical probes.”
Beyond Brillouin imaging, the facility provides access to confocal and multiphoton microscopy, FLIM, PLIM, light-sheet imaging, and mechanical testing approaches such as AFM and compression, biaxial tensile testing—allowing comprehensive multimodal experimental design.
The facility primarily supports projects where biomechanics plays a central role in the biological question. Researchers can investigate:
By integrating Brillouin microscopy into broader imaging workflows, scientists can better understand how physical properties shape biological function.
As part of Czech-BioImaging, the IPHYS BioImaging Facility operates under a 100% open-access policy and provides comprehensive user support.
Services include:
While commercial software provides basic Brillouin data processing, the facility also supports advanced workflows using third-party tools such as Fiji and develops customized solutions in C++, C#, or Python when required.
With the introduction of Brillouin microscopy, Czech-BioImaging strengthens its position within Euro-BioImaging ERIC.
The combination of:
makes the IPHYS BioImaging Facility a unique access point for researchers interested in biomechanics-driven biological questions in Czechia and Europe.
21 – 23 April 2026
Institute of Molecular Genetics, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague
The international conference Vision for Life – Innovation Days in Bioscience Imaging will bring three
days of intensive knowledge exchange, technological innovation, and hands-on experience in
advanced microscopy and biological imaging to Prague.
The event will take place at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
(IMG). It is organized by Specion (an authorized distributor of Leica Microsystems) in collaboration
with IMG.
The conference is fully supported by the Light Microscopy Core Facility at IMG, which is part of the
Czech BioImaging national research infrastructure and a member of the Prague node of Euro-
BioImaging, the European research infrastructure for biological and biomedical imaging.
Pavel Hozák, Director of Czech BioImaging, will contribute to the program with a presentation titled “Czech-BioImaging – The National Imaging Platform for All,” introducing the national research infrastructure and its mission to provide open access to state-of-the-art imaging technologies.
The program will feature:
The main keynote speakers of this year’s edition include:
The conference will connect the scientific community, technology partners, and core facility
professionals, creating a platform to discuss current challenges and future directions in bioscience
imaging at both the national and European level.
For any questions regarding the organization of the event, please contact Martin Kopecky (Specion),
main organizer.
Dear Czech-BioImaging Users and Friends,
with the beginning of the new year, we are pleased to announce the launch of the new visual identity of Czech-BioImaging. This update reflects the steady development and growth of our research infrastructure, as well as our effort to keep pace with recent trends in imaging and scientific communication. It also mirrors the expanding user community we serve and our ongoing commitment to quality, scientific excellence, reliability, and continuity.
Our new logo builds on the foundations of the previous one. It retains our signature blue colour to preserve continuity, while its simplified and modernised form improves clarity and readability across formats. The refreshed visual identity introduces a unified system that strengthens our communication across all facilities and enhances how we present Czech-BioImaging to the wider public.
Why we refreshed our identity
As Czech-BioImaging continues to grow, so does our responsibility to communicate clearly and consistently with our users, collaborators, and partners in the Czech Republic and abroad. A strong and coherent visual identity helps us represent who we are today and how our infrastructure has evolved over the years.
The refreshed identity enables us to:
The new identity is the outcome of a thoughtful design process carried out in collaboration with graphic designer Martin Vosátka. It is grounded in our long-term mission, shaped by feedback from our community, and guided by the principles set during the development of our brand.
A logo inspired by imaging
The new Czech-BioImaging logo is grounded in the visual language of imaging.
Its concentric, rotational elements reference lens adjustment and focus, symbolising precision, clarity, and the interconnected network of our facilities.
The accompanying logotype ensures readability and a modern, clean presentation suitable for both digital and print environments.
Together, the symbol and wordmark create a clear and flexible logo system that represents our scientific focus and the collaborative nature of Czech-BioImaging.
A colour palette built for clarity and impact
Our updated colour palette is designed to support clear communication while remaining visually distinctive. It is based on four primary tones:
A complementary secondary palette expands the system for posters, outreach materials, and digital communication, allowing flexibility without losing consistency.
Typography that supports readability
The primary typeface, Open Sauce One, was chosen for its balance of modern design and excellent readability. A clear typographic structure helps us communicate scientific content in a way that is accessible, precise, and visually coherent. Where required, Roboto serves as a reliable replacement.
Patterns derived from our core symbol
The new brand identity incorporates a modular pattern system derived directly from the logo symbol. These patterns can be used in both subtle and expressive applications — from digital backgrounds to printed materials — helping create a unified visual environment across Czech-BioImaging.
Where will the new identity appear?
The updated identity will gradually be introduced across:
Our goal is to make the transition smooth and ensure that all materials reflect the same high standard of clarity, professionalism, and visual cohesion.
A brand that represents our community
This new visual identity underscores our long-standing commitment to open access, expert support, and high-quality imaging services. It also reflects the collaborative nature of our infrastructure — shaped by the work of our facilities, the contributions of our staff, and the creativity and needs of our users.
We look forward to presenting Czech-BioImaging with an identity that supports our mission and strengthens the visibility of the imaging community in the Czech Republic and beyond.
In November 2025, Czech-BioImaging welcomed members of its International Advisory Board (IAB) for a series of on-site visits to Core Facilities across the national network. The IAB visits marked an important milestone in the Performance Assessment process, which provides an independent, international evaluation of the scientific quality, user services, and strategic development of the facilities.
Over three days, IAB panels specializing in Medical Imaging, Light Microscopy, and Electron Microscopy visited facilities in Olomouc, Brno, České Budějovice, Vestec and Prague, meeting Core Facility leaders, users, and local staff. The visits offered an opportunity to discuss scientific achievements, operational challenges, and visions for future development, as well as to benchmark the facilities against leading European infrastructures.
MUNI MAFIL CEITEC visit by Prof. Uwe Himmelreich, Prof. Karel Pacák, Prof. Petr Hluštík and Prof. Daniel Jirák.
MUNI CELLIM CEITEC visit by Dr. Dušan Chorvát, Dr. Timo Zimmermann, Dr. Paula Sampaio, Dr. Marek Cebecauer and Dr. Paolo Bianchini.
BC LEM visit by Prof. Klaus Qvortrup, Dr. Julia Fernandez-Rodriguez, and Dr. Eija Jokitalo.
The on-site program concluded with a joint discussion meeting in Prague and a network dinner, where IAB members and the Czech-BioImaging Steering Committee exchanged insights and preliminary reflections.
The goal of the IAB evaluation is to ensure that Czech-BioImaging maintains excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement in its research infrastructure. Through direct engagement and dialogue, the IAB provides feedback that supports both strategic planning and performance-based funding decisions within the national network.
BUT BCF CEITEC visit
IEM MSC visit
CUNI CAPI visit
Following the visits, Core Facility leaders will submit updated documentation for the evaluation period January 2023 – December 2025. The IAB panels will complete their assessments by May 2026, assigning ratings (A–D) that will impact facility’s total budget. The final results and recommendations will be discussed jointly with the Steering Committee in 2026, forming the basis for the next phase of strategic development across Czech-BioImaging.
Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Prague, Czech Republic
More details coming soon!
Czech-BioImaging was prominently represented at the recent Euro-BioImaging Train-the-Trainer (TtT) course, held on 20–24 October 2025 at the EMBL Imaging Centre in Heidelberg, Germany. The event was a part of Euro-BioImaging’s EVOLVE project aiming to develop innovative teaching methodologies and harmonize training standards across the European research infrastructure. The project provides a platform for trainers to refine their teaching techniques, exchange knowledge, and contribute to shaping the next generation of imaging and data processing experts.
Among the course contributors were Michaela Blažíková and Ivan Novotný from the Light Microscopy Core Facility (LM CF) of the IMG, Czech Academy of Sciences (part of the Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy Node Prague CZ). Both are experienced trainers who regularly host and organize advanced courses in microscopy and image analysis. They actively participated in the program with their presentation “From super-resolution to image analysis”, showcasing practical insights from their extensive training experience.
Their involvement enriched the course discussions and strengthened the exchange of best practices between European imaging facilities, enhancing the contribution of the Czech-BioImaging to the European training portfolio.
In addition to the presenters, several other Czech-BioImaging representatives from all three national nodes participated in the Heidelberg course, underscoring the network’s commitment to professional development and collaboration.
Participants included:
This strong Czech participation demonstrated the growing engagement in the Euro-BioImaging’s training ecosystem and the Czech-BioImaging’s dedication to advancing scientific excellence through structured and high-quality training for core facility staff.
Participation in Euro-BioImaging activities, such as this one, is of great importance to the Czech scientific community, providing valuable opportunities to strengthen connections, share expertise, and stay aligned with European standards in imaging and education.
Alongside open access to imaging technologies and funding of user projects, training activities form one of Czech-BioImaging’s main strategic priorities. The inclusion of staff training through initiatives like EVOLVE complements our user-oriented educational programs and contributes to the long-term growth of expertise across Czech imaging facilities.
We highly value the opportunity to be part of Euro-BioImaging and are glad to have contributed to this collaborative effort. We look forward to continuing our participation and welcoming more opportunities like EVOLVE in the future to further strengthen both Czech-BioImaging and the broader European imaging community.
Euro-BioImaging website: www.eurobioimaging.eu
Dear Czech-BioImaging users,
it is our pleasure to inform you that the 2026/1 open call for User project support will open on September 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and will close on September 30, 2025 at 23:59 p.m.
This call invites innovative researchers to apply for financial support to carry out cutting-edge biomedical imaging projects at our Core Facilities.
Through this call, we provide up to CZK 100,000 (approximately €3,800) to support measurement costs, imaging-related sample preparation, and data analysis. We welcome both academic and commercial users from Czech and international institutions. This call aims to help users advance their projects by offering access to state-of-the-art technologies and expert support. Many past collaborations have led to impactful publications and successful grant applications.
Open Call Timeline:
until 16 June 2025
Online open call
Dear Czech-BioImaging Users,
we are pleased to share that the 12th annual Photogenic Science photography competition is now open for submissions as of May 5, 2025. This contest is organized for employees of the Czech Academy of Sciences and celebrates the visual beauty of scientific work.
We invite all Czech-BioImaging users to participate in the competition and submit their photographs—especially images captured through microscopes during their research projects conducted in our Core Facilities.
Selected entries will be showcased in an exhibition at the Science and Art Gallery in the Czech Academy of Sciences building on Národní třída at the end of 2025. In addition, top photographs from the main category will be featured in the official 2026 calendar of the Academy.
Photographs must be submitted via the online form at www.vedafotogenicka.cz. To upload photos, registration or login is required. Detailed rules and submission guidelines are available in the “Rules” section of the website.
25-27 September 2025
School of Medicine, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
Dear Colleagues,
It is our great pleasure to invite you to the 27th National Congress of Electron Microscopy (EMK 2025) and the 2nd International Microscopy and Spectroscopy Congress (MSC 2025), which will be held under the auspices of the Turkish Society for Electron Microscopy and hosted by Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, in September 25 to 27, 2025.
Abstract submission deadline: 31 May 2025
Early registration deadline: 25 July 2025
Both congresses welcome all microscopy studies in the fields of life sciences and material sciences. We sincerely believe that our congresses will contribute to the creation of a scientific environment where microscopy studies will be presented and discussed with the participation of valuable scientists who are experts in their fields, as well as contributing to close cooperation and collaborations including social interactions. Technical presentations and exhibitions of our sponsor companies regarding recent developments in the field of microscopy will be included in the congress content. The Congress venue, Acıbadem University Congress Center, equipped with state-of-the-art congress facilities, is situated in the city center with very easy access to the subway and Marmaray rail line that connects the Asian and European sides of the city.
On behalf of Organizing Committees and the Executive Board of the Turkish Society for Electron Microscopy, we extend our warmest regards and look forward to your valuable participation.
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Institute of Molecular Genetics, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague
Dear Czech-BioImaging and Euro-BioImaging users,
we are thrilled to invite you to our annual summer event, Photons, Electrons, & Sausages 2025 – user meeting and BBQ, hosted by the Prague Czech-BioImaging Core Facilities (CFs) and facilities that are the part of the Prague Node of the Euro-BioImaging ERIC. The event brings together all those who have utilized the services of CzBI CFs throughout the year and it serves not only as a user meeting, but also as a celebration of the collaboration and cooperation that have developed between our users and the CF staff across various projects.
Save the date:
The event is exclusive to registered users. Please ensure you register via our registration form to secure your spot and join us for an afternoon filled with great food and refreshing drinks, engaging activities with a microscopy theme prepared by our CFs and an announcement of the Picture of the Year award, showcasing pictures produced with the help of our facilities.
Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email, which serves as your gateway through the Krč Campus security gate. Make sure to register early to help us plan the event smoothly.
We’re looking forward to seeing you at this casual get-together centered around the world of microscopy.
Best regards,
PES 2025 organizers
Dear Czech-BioImaging colleagues and users,
we are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the upcoming Czech-BioImaging conference Imaging Principles of Life 2025, taking place 17–19 September 2025 at Hotel Atlantis in Rozdrojovice, Brno, Czech Republic.
Registration Deadline: 31 July 2025
This year’s conference marks a special milestone—the 10th anniversary of the Czech-BioImaging research infrastructure. We are excited to celebrate this occasion with our users, Core Facility staff, collaborators, and the wider biomedical imaging community.
The scientific program will feature:
Join us for a welcome dinner, followed by a gala evening with live music and dancing—a perfect opportunity to connect and celebrate with colleagues from across the imaging field.
We warmly invite you to be part of this special event and look forward to seeing you in Brno!
This year, Czech-BioImaging is celebrating its 10th Anniversary, marking a decade of providing open access to cutting-edge imaging technologies to enhance scientific research in the Czech Republic and internationally. Over the past ten years, we have helped advance biological and medical imaging, supporting thousands of researchers and fostering innovations across a variety of research areas.
Since its establishment, Czech-BioImaging has become a leader in providing access to state-of-the-art imaging facilities in the Czech Republic. With 16 imaging facilities and partnerships with 10 institutions, we annually serve more than 1,300 researchers.
“Thanks to our data, researchers publish over 200 scientific papers annually,” says Pavel Hozák, Director of Czech-BioImaging. “We offer a broad range of imaging methods and provide access to more than 200 specialized instruments, which are also available to international users through the European infrastructure Euro-BioImaging ERIC.”
To mark this significant milestone, a special meeting took place on March 18, 2025, at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague. The workshop titled “Long-term Sustainability of Research Infrastructures”, brought together key representatives from Czech-BioImaging, Euro-BioImaging, and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic. The workshop focused on the long-term sustainability of large research infrastructures, ensuring that these resources continue to benefit future generations of researchers and advance scientific discovery. Following the workshop, an evening program was held at Jazz Dock in Prague, providing an opportunity for networking and informal discussions among experts and stakeholders in the bioimaging field.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Imaging Principles of Life Conference 2025 will feature a special program to honor Czech-BioImaging’s 10 years of success. This event will offer presentations, discussions, and insights into the future of bioimaging technologies, and it will be a fantastic opportunity for collaboration, networking, and innovation.
We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement. Registration opens soon. For more details visit https://www.czech-bioimaging.cz/conference/
