MIC Symposium 2024
On November 15th, the MIC Symposium themed “Bio-inspired materials and bioengineering” was hosted for the first time at the University of Fribourg. Science Faculty Vice Dean, Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser, welcomed about 150 participants in the Joseph Deiss Auditorium. She highlighted microscopy at the University of Fribourg and as the first MIC coordinator shared insights about the early days of the MIC in Bern.
Simon Sprecher from Biology, University of Fribourg, kicked off the biomedical imaging session, demonstrating how neuronal activity can be visualized in Drosophila taste organs. Anja Hauser from Charité Berlin discussed how the tissue environment influences the metabolism of myeloid cells in bone marrow. Christian Soeller from Physiology, University of Bern, presented super-resolved images of receptor clusters in cardiac muscle cells using the new MINFLUX system. Closing the session, Mario Prsa from Medicine, University of Fribourg, showed a robotic system that delivers precise proprioceptive stimuli to a mouse forelimb while imaging and manipulating neuronal brain activity with multiphoton microscopy.
During lunch and coffee breaks, attendees interacted with 14 commercial exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and instruments.
The second session focused on how natural phenomena inspire the development of innovative materials and technologies. Aleksandra Radenovic from EPFL used fluorescence microscopy to monitor electrochemical reactions at the single-molecule scale. Derek Kiebala from Chemistry, University of Mainz, demonstrated the use of confocal microscopy to study force sensors at the microscale level. Viola Bauernfeind from AMI, University of Fribourg, concluded the session by showing how the order or disorder of microscopic structures affects structural colors in nature.
The third session addressed advances in imaging single molecules at nanoscale. Guillermo Acuna from Phyisics, University of Fribourg, presented a self-made low-cost super-resolution microscope adapted for smartphones. Pablo Rivera-Fuentes from the University of Zürich showed how the blinking patterns of single fluorophores can be used to accurately distinguish peptide sequences. Sophie Brasselet from the Institute Fresnel in Marseille concluded the symposium by demonstrating how the 3D orientation of single molecules can be detected in cells using polarization fluorescence microscopy.
The local scientific committee, Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser, Jens Stein, Boris Egger, and Dimitri Vanhecke, extends their gratitude to all speakers for their insightful and inspiring talks. Special thanks go to the MIC administration and local crew for their meticulous preparations. The symposium would not be possible without the generous financial support from the numerous commercial sponsors, thank you all! Finally, thanks to all participants for the lively interactive sessions. We hope you enjoyed the MIC symposium and look forward to seeing you again next year!