Absolute Success in Coimbra: ELMI 2026 Closes with Highly Positive Outcomes at Convento São Francisco
Over the last four days, Coimbra firmly established itself as the European capital of bioimaging. Today marked the conclusion of the 26th edition of the prestigious European Light Microscopy Initiative meeting (ELMI 2026), held from June 16th to 19th at the iconic Convento São Francisco. Coimbra Acontece followed all activities closely and witnessed the total success of what is widely considered Europe’s leading forum for advanced light microscopy.
Jointly organized by the PPBI – Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging and the University of Coimbra — with a special mention to the dedication and coordination of researcher Luísa Cortes (CNC-UC) —, the event exceeded all expectations, earning outstanding praise from the international scientific community.
ELMI 2026 in Numbers
The global impact and sheer scale of this edition are reflected in impressive indicators that showcase the sector's vitality:
- 585 registered participants, filling the venue to capacity;
- 26 different nationalities, fostering a vibrant, multicultural environment for global knowledge sharing;
- 55 industry partners, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in cutting-edge technology;
- 4 key institutional partners;
- 16 dedicated industry workshop rooms, hosting 96 practical, hands-on sessions;
- 12 TELLMI workshops, dedicated to community development and training.
High-Level Scientific Program and Renowned Speakers
The scientific program stood out for its extraordinary level of excellence, addressing the frontiers of knowledge in sessions dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Bioimage Analysis, Spatial Biology, Nanoscopy, Volumetric and Deep Tissue Imaging, and Label-free Imaging.
One of the meeting's highest points took place on the very first day (June 16th), with an open session for the entire scientific community led by the world-renowned Professor Edward Boyden (MIT, USA). A global pioneer in optogenetics and expansion microscopy, Boyden delivered the keynote lecture "Optical Tools for Understanding and Repairing Biological Systems", captivating the Main Auditorium.
The plenary speaker lineup featured top-tier international figures, including:
- Ralf Jungmann (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Germany), who opened the scientific sessions by discussing the application of DNA nanotechnology to single-molecule spatial omics;
- Ilaria Testa (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden), focusing on computational-driven organelle dynamics at the nanoscale;
- Sinem Saka (EMBL Heidelberg, Germany) and Maria Alieva (CSIC-UAM, Spain), who enriched the debate on spatiotemporal cell communication in immunotherapy and cancer progression;
- Peter Dedecker (KU Leuven, Belgium), presenting smart probes for biological sensing.
Flawless Organization and Top-Tier Hospitality
The organizing committee deserves full credit for the impeccable management of such a massive event. From the logistical coordination at Convento São Francisco to the constant support provided to the delegates, absolutely nothing was left to chance.
One aspect universally praised by attendees was the catering service. The coffee breaks, working lunches, and social dinners — including the exquisite gala dinner — turned into prime networking opportunities, pleasing everyone with outstanding culinary options that highlighted the local products of the Centro Region of Portugal.
ELMI 2026 bids farewell to Coimbra, leaving a lasting impression on the scientific community and solidifying the city's capacity to host top-tier international congresses. Congratulations to the organization for once again raising Coimbra’s profile worldwide!
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