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Imaging spotlight: Cryo-ExM reveals the architecture of the human cytotoxic immunological synapse

Posted by FocalPlane, on 15 June 2026

In this behind the paper story, Benita Wolf and colleagues share their research using cryo-expansion microscopy (cryo-ExM) to map the architecture of the human cytotoxic immunological synapse.

Call for I2K 2026 Workshops & Submissions

Posted by BioImaging North America, on 16 April 2026

On behalf of the I2KxBINA 2026 organizing committee, we are excited to invite submissions for workshops, talks, and posters for the I2K portion of I2KxBINA 2026, taking place September 27 to October 2, 2026, in Madison, WI. I2KxBINA 2026 brings together imaging scientists, developers, researchers, and trainees working at the intersection of biological imaging and computational image

Imaging spotlight: Calibrating expansion microscopy to map receptor sorting domains in endosomes

Posted by FocalPlane, on 15 April 2026

In this behind the paper story, Tayla Shakespeare and Izzy Jayasinghe share their research mapping receptor sorting domains in endosomes using expansion microscopy (ExM). As part of this research, they developed a calibrated 3D ExM toolkit to measure local expansion.

Imaging spotlight: Altair-LSFM

Posted by FocalPlane, on 9 March 2026

In this paper highlight from Kevin Dean and colleagues, we learn about Altair-LSFM, a light-sheet fluorescence microscope that they designed so it can be built and operated in biology labs without needing a full-time optical engineer.

Imaging spotlight: the axonal membrane-associated periodic skeleton

Posted by FocalPlane, on 5 March 2026

In this paper highlight, Nick Boyer takes us through the key results and imaging techniques that they used in their research dissecting the axonal membrane-associated periodic skeleton with Rohan Sharma, Christophe Leterrier, Subhojit Roy and colleagues.

Imaging spotlight - How to divide without a ring: a mechanical ratchet drives unilateral cytokinesis

Posted by FocalPlane, on 10 February 2026

In this paper highlight, Jan Brugués and Alison Kickuth discuss the microscopy and microrheology techniques that they used in their research dissecting the mechanics of cytokinesis.

Imaging spotlight: visualising synaptic vesicle fusion by cryo-ET

Posted by FocalPlane, on 21 January 2026

In this paper highlight from Jana Kroll and colleagues, we hear about their research combing optogenetic stimulation with plunge freezing and cryo-electron tomography to study synaptic vesicle fusion.

Imaging spotlight: U-ExM atlas of microbial eukaryotes

Posted by FocalPlane, on 20 January 2026

In this paper highlight from Hiral Shah and colleagues, we learn about their ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) atlas of over 200 cultured planktonic eukaryotes. This post includes technical advice for ExM users and highlights the open-access resource that they have generated for cytoskeleton or marine microorganism aficionados (and microscopy sciart lovers!)

Cytoneme Imaging Tips and Tricks

Posted by Christina Daly, on 19 January 2026

There has been a growing interest in visualizing long and thin membrane extensions. The field of intercellular connections has exploded, with elegant bioimaging studies focusing on structures like cytonemes, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), intercellular/cytokinetic bridges (IB/CBs), and migrasomes. This enhanced interest in the intercellular communication facilitated by these extensions is largely due to the recent technological

Imaging spotlight: Revealing mouse brain ultrastructure using non-destructive X-ray tomography

Posted by FocalPlane, on 13 January 2026

In this paper highlight, Carles Bosch, Ana Diaz, Adrian A. Wanner and Andreas T. Schaefer (on behalf of all authors) describe how they use nondestructive X-ray tomography to map mouse brain tissue ultrastructure .

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Microscopy-related articles from our journals

Toggle-Untoggle – a cell segmentation tool with an interactive user verification interface J Cell Sci 2025 138: jcs264154
The ratio of Wnt signaling activity to Sox2 transcription factor levels predicts neuromesodermal fate potential Development 2025 152: dev204661
The short isoform of Tango1 is dispensable for zebrafish survival but is required for skeletal patterning and integrity Biology Open 2025 14: bio062117

Microscopy-related preprint highlights

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