In September 28–29, 2026, the France Volume-EM community gathered in Bordeaux for its first thematic meeting, co-organised with several France-BioImaging members, including the Electron Microscopy facility of the Bordeaux Imaging Center (BIC).

The event brought together experts and researchers to explore the latest advances and applications of volume electron microscopy. The programme featured scientific talks highlighting the contribution of 3D imaging to research projects, alongside keynote lectures by Isabelle Bonne (National University of Singapore), Timm Weitkamp (CEA) and Karel Mocaer (EMBL). Roundtable discussions also addressed the future of volume EM, particularly the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and the challenges currently facing the community.

The final half-day was dedicated to hands-on technical workshops, introducing participants to equipment and techniques available at the BIC, including FIB-SEM and cryo-plunging, as well as image analysis workshops led by event sponsors.

As part of the French Node of Euro-BioImaging, the event benefited from funding through Euro-BioImaging’s EVOLVE project, which was represented at the event by Johanna Bischof, Head of Bio-Hub Operations.

Through this first meeting, France Volume-EM aims to strengthen the French volume electron microscopy community, encourage knowledge sharing and foster new collaborations in this rapidly developing field.