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.

FocalPlane is your site and once registered, you are free to share a blog post, add an image to our gallery, post a job advert or put up an event listing.

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Recent posts

FocalPlane features… cell migration recordings with Ankita Jha, Raphaël Clément and Katrina Velle

Posted by FocalPlane, on 25 September 2026

On 17 September 2026, we held the second webinar in our FocalPlane features… series on emergent models and quantitative analysis of cell migration, organised by Pablo J. Sáez and Valeria Venturini. In this webinar, we heard from Ankita Jha on ‘Decoding bleb driven signaling in cancer disease progression’, Raphaël Clément on ‘Navigating without neurons or

Featured image with Ádám Soós

Posted by FocalPlane, on 25 September 2026

Our featured image, acquired by Ádám Soós is titled “Guided by GDNF: enteric neural crest cells weaving the future gut nervous system.” It shows enteric neural crest-derived cells streaming out from an embryonic day 6 chicken midgut explant, forming an interconnected migratory network on a fibronectin-coated surface. The culture was exposed to 20 ng/ml GDNF,

I2KxBINA 2026: Cultivating the Multi-scale Imaging Frontier

Posted by Ethan A. Perets, on 24 September 2026

We are continuing to build upon our tradition of gathering scientists to discuss cutting edge open-source solutions and interactive tutorials. Can’t join us in Madison? You can still be part of I2KxBINA 2026 virtually via Zoom Events!

Register now for FocalPlane features… quantitative plant imaging

Posted by FocalPlane, on 23 September 2026

In this webinar, we’ll hear from Marcel Dickmanns on ‘Exploring the Molecular Landscape within Plant Cells by Cryo-Electron Tomography’ and Laura Copeland on ‘Multimodal Quantitative Fourier Ptychographic Microscopy and Fluorescence Imaging Reveals Stable Bacterial Colonisation Architecture Under Phosphate Limitation’.

Imaging spotlight: linking mechanical forces and the Golgi

Posted by FocalPlane, on 22 September 2026

In this Imaging spotlight, Felix Campelo, Stéphanie Miserey and Jean-Baptiste Manneville highlight the key findings from their research asking whether the Golgi apparatus can sense and respond to mechanical forces. They talk about the importance of selecting the correct microscope for your question rather than assuming that the most sophisticated microscopy is best, as well

Microscopy preprints – new tools and techniques in imaging

Posted by FocalPlane, on 18 September 2026

Here is a curated selection of the latest preprints on new tools and techniques in imaging. Let us know if we are missing any recent preprints that are on your reading list!

Funding for Imaging Services for Start-ups and SMEs

Posted by Johanna Bischof, on 11 September 2026

SME Access Pilot: Funding for Imaging Services for Start-ups and SMEs Are you a start-up or SME looking to solve a research or technical challenge using advanced imaging? The Euro-BioImaging SME Access Pilot offers funded access to Europe’s leading biological and biomedical imaging facilities, helping companies generate proof-of-concept data, evaluate new technologies, access specialised expertise,

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