South Africa BioImaging Showcases Leadership at Global Exchange of Experience 2025

The South Africa BioImaging (SABI) network recently represented the country’s scientific imaging community at the Global Bioimaging (GBI) Exchange of Experience 2025 conference, hosted jointly by BioImaging North America (BINA) and GBI.

This prestigious international conference brought together experts, researchers, and infrastructure leaders to discuss the future of imaging science and sustainability in global research networks.

This year’s conference focused on sustaining imaging infrastructures, networks, and facilities, offering a vital platform for collaboration and strategic dialogue ahead of the BINA Community Congress, which highlighted the most advanced imaging technologies shaping the next decade.

Representing South Africa was Dr Caron Jacobs, CZI Imaging Scientist at the University of Cape Town in the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, who presented her journey; Prof Ben Loos from the Department of Physiological Sciences at Stellenbosch University as well as Lize Engelbrecht, manager of the Confocal Microscopy Unit at Stellenbosch University.

Lize delivered a compelling presentation on the growth of a Strong South African Bioimaging Community: Challenges and Successes. Her talk highlighted important developments in the community over the past year and emphasised why SABI is becoming a recognised player within the Global BioImaging (GBI) network, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, training, and shared infrastructure in advancing local imaging capacity.

“Through SABI, we are not only connecting researchers with technology but also ensuring that the next generation of African scientists can access and contribute to world-class imaging research,” said Lize, highlighting the value and future impact that SABI brings in the ecosystem.

Her address resonated with researchers and industries that recognised SABI’s efforts in creating bridges between researchers across disciplines and institutions. Since joining the GBI initiative, SABI has become a crucial node in strengthening imaging accessibility.

In addition to Lize’s presentation, Prof Ben, who also chaired one of the sessions showcased the South Africa BioImaging 2025: Expanding the SABI Ecosystem poster which highlighted SABI’s continued commitment to building a sustainable and collaborative imaging ecosystem.

It outlined how SABI operates under the Global BioImaging framework, serves as South Africa’s national node, and strengthens engagement through training, outreach, and shared infrastructure. The poster further illustrated SABI’s achievements between 2020 and 2024, emphasizing the growth of the community, the expansion of its ecosystem, and its contribution to global imaging collaboration.

The 2025 conference also underscored the role of sustainability and inclusivity in scientific infrastructure. For South Africa, this translates into long-term goals of enhancing imaging education, maintaining high-end facilities, and promoting equitable access to advanced technologies. SABI’s participation at the Exchange of Experience 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to these principles while positioning South Africa as a thought leader in imaging innovation.