FocalPlane - Where biology meets microscopy

Welcome to FocalPlane

FocalPlane is a community site for anyone who uses microscopy in their research. It is a place where you can interact with a global community of imaging scientists, engineers, chemists, and bioimage analysts.

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Recent posts

JCS snapshot: RNP1A regulates cell shape in Dictyostelium amoebas

Posted by FocalPlane, on 12 February 2026

In our latest JCS snapshot we hear from Mark Jacob, who, together with Yinan Liu, Douglas Robinson and team, found that the RNA-binding protein RNP1A regulates cell shape in Dictyostelium amoebas. In this snapshot, Mark takes us through the key findings from their research.

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.

Workshop report: EMBO Course on Image Processing in Cryo-EM

Posted by FocalPlane, on 9 February 2026

Freya Cardozo shares her workshop report from the EMBO course on Imaging Processing in Cryo-EM. Freya’s attendance was supported with a JCS-FocalPlane Training Grant.

Microscopy preprints: bioimage analysis

Posted by FocalPlane, on 6 February 2026

Here is a curated selection of preprints published (or updated) recently. In this post we focus specifically on bioimage analysis and data management.

Imaging spotlight: ShapeSpaceExplorer

Posted by FocalPlane, on 5 February 2026

In this paper highlight, we learn about ShapeSpaceExplorer, a tool for measuring cell shape of migrating cells, developed by Samuel Jefferyes, Anne Straube and colleagues.

Funding to access UK Euro-BioImaging services: next round closes on 31 March!

Posted by Georgina Fletcher, on 4 February 2026

The next round of applications is open for the UK Bioimaging User Access Fund, which provides UK researchers with access to state-of-the-art bioimaging technologies and analysis services at the UK Node of Euro-BioImaging. What’s Available: The UK Node comprises 14 facilities across 7 leading UK sites*, offering open access to a wide range of advanced

Workshop report: York Confocal Microscopy course

Posted by Yelena Ivanova, on 3 February 2026

During the four-day Confocal Microscopy 2025 course at the University of York, I gained a better understanding of both the fundamentals of microscopy and more advanced techniques. The daily schedule consisted of the introduction of the relevant topics in the morning, followed by several hands-on practical sessions. In these, we were split into small groups

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