Specialist Course on Light and Fluorescence Microscopy Edition 2026

Light microscopy, and especially fluorescence microscopy, is an essential tool to investigate and characterize biological specimen in the life sciences. Modern microscopes offer an increasing range of technical capabilities, but thereby become gradually more complex and require appropriate training for correct scientific use. 

Theoretical lectures offer the participants the background needed to perform light microscopy studies in a correct scientific way. Theory will be put into practice in demonstration sessions. The demonstration sessions, during which different imaging techniques are shown to small groups of 5-6 students, naturally complement the theoretical lectures and are intended to provide insight in the theoretical principles. Using real-world examples, the participants are given practical guidelines on correct data acquisition and obtaining optimal data quality. These sessions form a solid basis for further individual hands-on training offered by the Ghent Light Microscopy (GLiM) CORE. During groupwork sessions, the students discuss the newly obtained insights and apply them to their own research questions. The last half day comprises a guided computer session that introduces fundamentals of image processing. Focus will be on good practice in image processing and methods to extract quantitative data. This session will provide the participants with a basic knowledge allowing to implement image analysis through FIJI in their research.