South African students attend EMBL

From 23 to 28 November 2025, two South Africans had the opportunity to attend the EMBO Practical Course on Volume Electron Microscopy by Automated Serial SEM at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany.

This intensive and insightful workshop focused on three-dimensional ultrastructural imaging

approaches including FIB-SEM, serial block-face SEM (SBF-SEM), and array tomography for

SEM, image data processing, CLEM, and CXEM. These approaches demonstrated how volume EM can be scaled flexibly depending on the biological question. Workflows were introduced through lectures, followed by practical sessions where participants could operate the instruments themselves.

This course brought together expert microscopists and researchers from around the world to delve into these cutting-edge methods.

Testimony from Michael Cowley, Stellenbosch University

"This course was instrumental in advancing my PhD research, which investigates the morphological changes related to stem cell dynamics at ultrastructural resolution. The hands-on training in vEM enabled me to confidently acquire and interpret 3D datasets critical to my project. Importantly, the skills I gained contributed to overcoming key methodological challenges and enabling me to trust the data I collect, which is thus essential in enabling the successful completion of my project. It was especially an honour to meet Amanda Lewis, Christopher Bleck, Ian White, and Yannick Schwab. They supported me, provided guidance, answered all my questions patiently, and most importantly, taught me to believe in myself.

A big thank you to the EMBL Course and Conference Office and all the fantastic trainers for an exceptional learning experience. I’m looking forward to applying these new insights and techniques in my own research and teaching them to the broader community at my university!

This workshop attendance was not possible without travel grant funding from Global BioImaging's initiative, Imaging 4 All."

Photos kindly provided by Michael Cowley

Testimony from Deane Basson, Nelson Mandela University

"Beyond the technical training, the course stood out for its organisation and international

atmosphere. Participants, speakers, and facility staff represented a wide range of institutes,

creating an environment where technical discussions naturally expanded into conversations

about research. These interactions highlighted how advanced imaging depends not only on

equipment, but also on shared expertise and well-coordinated research networks."

"It was well balanced between theory and genuine hands-on training."

"For my future work, this training has had a direct and practical impact. It has strengthened

how I think about experimental design in volume EM and inspires the development and

optimisation of these workflows at microscope facilities within the Southern African

research landscape."

Photos kindly provided by Deane Basson