ITQB Microscopy Symposium 2026 - Imaging the Cell with Photons, Electrons, and AI
Event Overview
The ITQB Microscopy Symposium 2026 brings together researchers, students, and imaging specialists for a two-day program combining cutting-edge lectures with hands-on training. The event showcases ITQB NOVA's state-of-the-art imaging facilities while providing learning opportunities for researchers at all career levels.
Day 1 features presentations from international and local speakers covering the latest advances in optical and electron microscopy, with a particular focus on AI applications in biological imaging.
Day 2 offers practical workshops with advanced microscopy systems and computational analysis tools incorporating machine learning, giving participants hands-on experience with the latest imaging technologies.
Featured Topics
- Optical Microscopy: Advanced imaging techniques and super-resolution methods
- Electron Microscopy: Structural imaging at nanoscale resolution
- AI & Machine Learning: Computational tools for automated image analysis
- Hands-on Training: Practical workshops with state-of-the-art equipment
International Speakers
The symposium features 20 speakers including keynote presentations from:
- Cécile Morlot (Institut de Biologie Structurale - CNRS, France)
- Guillaume Jacquemet (Åbo Akademi University, Finland)
- Séamus Holden (University of Warwick, UK)
Our Participation
The HenriquesLab is co-organizing this major imaging event, with Ricardo Henriques presenting as a local speaker and seven lab members serving as workshop instructors:
- Ricardo Henriques – Local speaker
- Estibaliz Gomez-de-Mariscal – Workshop instructor
- Daria Aristova – Workshop instructor
- Mario Del Rosario – Workshop instructor
- Bruno Saraiva – Workshop instructor
- Pedro Matos Pereira – Workshop instructor
- Leonor Morgado – Workshop instructor
- José Damián Martínez Reyes – Workshop instructor
Our team contributes expertise in AI-driven microscopy and computational image analysis, leading hands-on training sessions that demonstrate the lab's latest tools for automated microscopy and machine learning-based image processing. The workshops are delivered in collaboration with instructors from other ITQB NOVA research groups, including the Bacterial Imaging Cluster and Biological Engineering & Microfabrication facilities.
This symposium represents a significant investment in training the next generation of imaging scientists and strengthening international collaborations in the field of advanced biological microscopy.
Impact
The ITQB Microscopy Symposium 2026 provides a unique platform for:
- Knowledge Exchange: Connecting researchers working on cutting-edge imaging technologies
- Hands-on Training: Practical experience with advanced microscopy systems rarely accessible to many researchers
- Collaboration Opportunities: Fostering new research partnerships between institutions
- Career Development: Networking opportunities for early-career researchers
By combining theoretical presentations with practical training, the symposium ensures participants gain both conceptual understanding and hands-on skills applicable to their research.
Registration
Registration is open via the event website.