Celebrating the 10th edition of SPAOM

The 2026 edition of SPAOM, the meeting of the Spanish and Portuguese Advanced Optical Microscopy community, marked a special milestone: the 10th edition of this meeting bringing together researchers, microscopy specialists, technology developers and imaging facilities. Held from 6–9 October in Vic, Spain, and organised by REMOA and the Portuguese Platform of BioImaging (PPBI), SPAOM2026 introduced a new format placing workshops and hands-on exchange at the centre of the programme. The meeting offered an exciting overview of the latest developments in microscopy and its applications, with Euro-BioImaging strongly represented throughout.

A vibrant programme reflecting the diversity of microscopy

More than 100 workshop sessions offered by companies and members of the microscopy community were proposed at this 10th edition event, including 30 distinct community workshops offered twice at different time points so more people could attend. The workshop format created numerous opportunities for participants to engage directly with new technologies, explore scientific applications and exchange expertise.

The scientific programme highlighted the remarkable diversity of modern microscopy. Alongside the rapidly developing field of spatial biology, presentations explored applications in biomechanics, infectious diseases and materials research, illustrating how advanced microscopy continues to open new perspectives across scientific disciplines.

Industry workshops showcased cutting-edge technologies, including new and upcoming microscopy systems, while community-led sessions addressed a broad range of topics, from innovative imaging methods and scientific applications to quality control, image analysis and data management. Other workshops explored broader aspects of scientific communication and community development, reflecting the many dimensions of today's microscopy research ecosystem.

Impressions from the SPAOM meeting

Bringing user access and research infrastructures into focus

Euro-BioImaging had a particularly strong presence at SPAOM2026, supported by the active engagement of Euro-BioImaging Spain and many participating Euro-BioImaging Node members from Spain and Portugal. The meeting was supported by Euro-BioImaging through the EU-funded EVOLVE project, and a joint booth in the Networks Corner for Euro-BioImaging and Euro-BioImaging Spain provided a central meeting point for participants interested in accessing advanced microscopy technologies and expertise.

A dedicated Euro-BioImaging session at the beginning of the meeting introduced the research infrastructure and highlighted opportunities for researchers to access its services. A central element was a panel discussion on user access, moderated by Bettina Trueb from Euro-BioImaging Spain. The panel brought together two researchers supported through the EU-funded canSERV project, Elly Soltani and Petra Hyrossova, and two facility representatives providing services through canSERV: Maria Calvo from the Live and Intravital Imaging Node in Barcelona and Luisa Cortes from the PPBI Node. Johanna Bischof joined the discussion as a representative of Euro-BioImaging.

Central role of expert Node staff in user projects

Drawing on their experiences within canSERV, the panellists offered practical insights into accessing advanced microscopy services through European research infrastructures. The discussion highlighted the central role of expert Node staff in guiding researchers through the application process, the experience of working in facilities outside their home institutions, and the opportunities to combine services from different research infrastructures.

The panel also addressed some of the challenges involved in implementing open access research projects, including the need for pilot testing of novel samples, sufficient time for project planning and the need for close interaction between researchers and facility experts. Together, these perspectives illustrated how access to advanced microscopy goes far beyond the provision of instrumentation, relying on expert guidance, collaboration and careful project preparation to support successful research outcomes.

Euro-BioImaging also contributed a workshop on Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, led by Johanna Bischof from the Euro-BioImaging Bio-Hub, exploring how imaging facilities and research infrastructures can communicate their value and engage effectively with different stakeholder communities.

Beyond the dedicated sessions, Euro-BioImaging's visibility was reinforced by its Nodes, many of which actively highlighted their connection to the European research infrastructure in their scientific posters, presentations and workshops.

Strengthening connections across the microscopy community

SPAOM2026 also provided an important opportunity to connect with colleagues from the Spanish and Portuguese Euro-BioImaging Node communities, exchange experiences and discuss developments in microscopy services and research infrastructure activities.

The strong involvement of imaging facilities, researchers and industry partners throughout the programme demonstrated the value of SPAOM as a meeting place for the microscopy community, combining scientific excellence, technological innovation and practical exchange.

Johanna Bischof, Head of Bio-Hub Operations at Euro-BioImaging, reflected:

"SPAOM2026 was a wonderful demonstration of the energy and diversity of the microscopy community. I was particularly impressed by the breadth of topics in the workshops and the strong engagement of both facility experts and instrument manufacturers. For Euro-BioImaging, it was especially valuable to bring the experiences of our users and Nodes directly into the programme, showing how access to advanced microscopy technologies and expertise can support research across many different fields. It was also a great opportunity to strengthen our connections with the Spanish and Portuguese imaging communities."

Euro-BioImaging's participation in SPAOM2026 was supported through EVOLVE (GA number 101130986), a Horizon Europe-funded project strengthening Euro-BioImaging's services, community engagement and collaboration with its Nodes and partner communities. Participation of the canSERV users in the meeting was enabled by canSERV (GA number 101058620), a Horizon Europe-funded project for access to advanced Research Infrastructure services for cancer research.