This seminar series is a joint training initiative bringing together advanced microscopy expertise from across the Heidelberg and Mannheim campuses. HiLight (Heidelberg-Mannheim Light Microscopy Network) connects advanced light microscopy platforms and microscopy experts across the Heidelberg and Mannheim sites. Emerging from the broader effort to strengthen scientific collaboration between the two campuses, HiLight facilitates knowledge exchange, connects complementary expertise and infrastructure, and promotes the use of advanced microscopy across biomedical research. By connecting multiple advanced microscopy platforms from Heidelberg and Mannheim, HiLight combines complementary expertise and perspectives to provide participants with a broad view of modern microscopy.

Microscopy is a cornerstone of biomedical research, with a rich history of enabling scientific breakthroughs. At the same time, modern microscopy and bioimage data handling have become increasingly complex, requiring expertise spanning disciplines including biology, chemistry, optics, computer science and data analysis. Rather than only focusing on the theoretical principles of microscopy, this seminar series addresses the everyday practical challenges researchers encounter when using microscopy in biomedical research. The series provides an introduction to the essential concepts, considerations and best practices needed to plan an imaging experiment, acquire reliable data, process and quantify images, manage image data, and ultimately present results for publication.

Across seven modules, participants will be guided through the complete microscopy workflow — from experimental planning and sample preparation, through image acquisition, processing, quantification and data management, to image presentation and publication standards. The program focuses on the core competencies that are essential for using microscopy effectively in biomedical research, while deliberately keeping the scope compact and accessible. The aim is to give researchers a practical foundation for making informed decisions and avoiding common pitfalls at each stage of the imaging workflow.

This in-person seminar series will take place from 19. October to 30. November 2026, every Monday from 14:00–17:00 (with breaks), in the Large Seminar Room (SR41) at BioQuant, Heidelberg. We warmly invite researchers from across the Heidelberg and Mannheim campuses who use, or are planning to use, microscopy in their research to join us and benefit from the diverse expertise brought together through HiLight. 

Further details about the schedule and the seminar contents can be found here: https://www.sci.events/e_230/abcmicroscopy/