EVOLVE Workshop Explores Best Practices for High-Quality Preclinical Imaging Facilities

On 2 July 2026, Euro-BioImaging hosted the online EVOLVE workshop "Building High-Quality Preclinical Imaging Facilities", bringing together approximately 40 imaging facility staff and researchers from Euro-BioImaging Nodes across 11 European countries. The workshop provided a platform to exchange knowledge and best practices on responsible preclinical imaging, quality management, translational research, and multimodal imaging.

The programme was developed in response to the EVOLVE training landscape analysis, which gathered and assessed the training needs of Euro-BioImaging Nodes.

The workshop opened with a session on Building Responsible Preclinical Imaging Facilities: 3Rs, Regulation and Quality Standards. Lluis Montoliu (National Centre of Biotechnology, CNB-CSIC, Spain) introduced the European regulatory framework governing animal research, while Philipp Boehm-Sturm (Charité Core Facility "7T Experimental MRIs", Germany) discussed practical approaches to implementing the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) within imaging facilities. Laure Balasse and Colette Gomis Mansaly (CERIMED, Aix-Marseille Université, France Life Imaging Node) shared their experience implementing an ISO 9001 quality management system, highlighting practical lessons learned and its impact on facility operations.

The second session focused on Translating Preclinical Imaging into Clinical Contexts. Philippe Robert (Guerbet, France) presented the development of contrast agents from preclinical research to clinical application in an industry setting, while Simone Kleinendorst (Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands) demonstrated how nuclear imaging supports immune-oncology drug development and translational research.

The workshop concluded with a session on Multimodal Imaging Workflows. Dieter Fuchs (FUJIFILM VisualSonics) discussed how in vivo imaging technologies contribute to improved study design while supporting the 3Rs by enabling longitudinal studies and better-informed downstream analyses. Finally, Irma Mahmutovic Persson (Lund University, LBIC, Swedish National Microscopy Infrastructure (NMI)) presented strategies for optimizing multimodal preclinical research, from study design through data generation. 

This workshop was organised as part of the EVOLVE project, which aims to strengthen the capacity of Euro-BioImaging Nodes through targeted training, networking, and the exchange of best practices across the research infrastructure.

We thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to welcoming the community to future EVOLVE training events.

Stay tuned for the recorded sessions on our YouTube channel.