France-BioImaging is the French Node of the European research infrastructure Euro-BioImaging.
As such, France-BioImaging invites all its external users(1) to register through Euro-BioImaging web portal to access any equipment available on France-BioImaging facilities and labs.
Why should I apply via access?
By registering through the EuBI web portal, France-BioImaging external users will:
- have access to 30 biological imaging facilities and laboratories specializing in R&D for imaging in 10 regional nodes
- receive a waiver for the costs of instrument access (2) (up to 750€ per week for a maximum of 3 weeks) on FBI facilities or labs (3).
- have access to a wide range of technical and methodological expertise: Single Particle Tracking & Super Resolution / Multimodal & Quantitative fluorescence Microscopies / Multiscale & Correlative Microscopy / New Contrast & In-Depth Imaging / High Throughput & High Content Screening / Probe development, Optomanipulation & Optogenetics / BioImage Informatics, Image Processing & Data Management
- receive a strong support in computational analysis, provide quantitative measures and integrative understanding of a wide range of cell and tissue activities in biological models, from the simplest, to small animals in normal and pathological situations
What is the process to apply?
Timeframe: The application and review process is efficient, transparent and quick. The whole process is estimated to take 2-3 weeks.
When to apply: Applications for access can be submitted at any time. Periodically, special calls for access will be published with a defined deadline. These special calls carry specific criteria, so please read the calls carefully.
Initial consult
You can use the information on the page Nodes localisation to select technologies and platforms that meet your needs.
If you are not sure what technology is right for your research question or which of our Nodes would provide the best support for your research area, you can contact us for support and consultation.
Access proposal request
Once you have done your choice, you can submit an access proposal request through EuroBioImaging access portal.
You will have to choose the French Node and then your platform of interest.
After that, you could fill out a simple online form and submit your proposal.
NB: It is important to highlight the imaging aspects of the project and their importance, as well as to mention that contact has already been established with the France BioImaging facility/lab and the name of your contact on site. Also, if the project has already undergone an external scientific evaluation (i.e. for a grant) it is important to mention it, since it will greatly speed up the acceptance by Euro BioImaging.
Scientific advice
Applications receive scientific advice from external experts to support project development.
If your project is not requesting funding and has already undergone scientific review – e.g. as part of a funded project, through a PhD committee, Node access evaluation committee or similar – the proposal can be fast-tracked to the technical check.
Technical advice
The selected Node confirms the technical feasibility of the planned work or supports the applicant in developing a feasible plan for use of the requested technology.
Service provision
Once the access proposal request is granted, the Node contacts the users regarding practicalities for the access, such as planning the visit.
How to access
Carolina Eliscovich: Visualize the unseen
Carolina Eliscovich, group leader at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, studies RNA biology with a focus on how mRNAs are spatially organized and regulated in tissues such as the liver.
Through the France-BioImaging Access Fund, she joined the Montpellier Resource Imaging facility and the Edouard Bertrand lab to apply sequential smFISH with an automated microfluidic system. Despite unexpected challenges, the collaboration enabled her to visualize, for the first time, multiple RNA species in regenerating mouse liver tissue.
She emphasizes how this unique opportunity provided unprecedented insights into gene expression heterogeneity in vivo, and highlights the generosity and expertise of the France-BioImaging teams, which made this breakthrough possible.
Hamed Abbasi: fluorescence microscopy for intraoperative use to target tumors
Hamed Abbasi, researcher at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, develops photonics-based technologies for oncological surgery, with a focus on fluorescence-guided approaches that provide surgeons with real-time tumor visualization.
Through the France-BioImaging Access Fund, he visited the PRIMACEN cell imaging platform in Normandy to perform near-infrared fluorescence lifetime imaging. Despite the technical challenges of working in this spectral range, the collaboration enabled him to generate robust proof-of-principle data.
These results were key to securing a Health~Holland grant to develop an advanced intraoperative fluorescence lifetime system, in partnership with industry. Hamed emphasizes both the cutting-edge infrastructure and the warm, supportive expertise of the PRIMACEN team, which made the collaboration scientifically decisive and personally enriching.
Mariia Nazarova: Understanding chromatin regulation key factors
Maria Nazarova, a PhD student at the IGBMC in Strasbourg, investigates chromatin dynamics and how enhancers interact with promoters using live-cell imaging.
Through the France-BioImaging Access Fund, she joined the MRI-CRBM platform in Montpellier to explore Lattice Light Sheet microscopy as a way to reduce phototoxicity and follow transcriptional dynamics in mouse stem cells. Despite technical limitations with time resolution, the experience offered her valuable insights into the system’s potential and the challenges of multi-color live imaging.
She highlights the warm support and expertise of the MRI team, particularly Virginie Georget, and stresses how the stay not only broadened her technical understanding but also shaped the way she designs future experiments.
Atitheb Chaiyasitdhi: Dive into hearing mechanism
Atitheb Chaiyasitdhi, a research fellow at the University of Leicester, explores auditory mechanisms in insects, focusing on specialized sensory structures called chordotonal organs.
With support from France-BioImaging’s User Access program, he collaborated with the Imagerie-Gif platform to apply Focused Ion Beam Electron Microscopy (FIB-EM) to his study. This advanced technique enabled him to reconstruct the ultrastructure of the locust ear in 3D, achieving an unprecedented level of detail.
He highlights the responsiveness, expertise, and technical excellence of the platform, which made this remote collaboration both seamless and highly productive.
Access fundings
There are many ways to get funding for your project involving biological imaging.
See which currently available funding for imaging facilities is most suitable for you, below!
Need help?
The France-BioImaging team is available at contact@france-bioimaging.org to provide guidance on technology selection, choosing the right Node, funding opportunities, access procedures, and more.
You can also fullfill our contact form.
You have a general question? You can check our FAQ to find an answer!
General conditions
Waiver of costs
(1) This registration process is open to:
- any users from outside the institutional perimeter of France-BioImaging nodes (i.e. from outside the partner university of the Node) who would like to use imaging technologies in one of FBI nodes: Alsace, Toulouse, Paris Centre, Paris Ile-de-France-Sud, Marseille, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Bretagne-Loire, Normandie, Rhône-Alpes. They can be French or international users – EU and non-EU
- or users from one France-BioImaging regional Node who want to access an equipment available in another FBI regional node.
(2) The following costs are eligible for financial support:
- Contribution to the verifiable incurred costs for measurement – data acquisition
- Imaging related sample preparation (special chemicals, labels, etc.)
- Data processing and analysis
France BioImaging financial support will be transferred directly to the France-BioImaging core facility/lab in which the project will be performed. The support does not include travel costs, accommodation and daily allowances. This has to be covered by the user.
(3) Restrictions: This waiver does not apply for users from Industry.
Acknowledgments
Publications resulting from work undertaken at France-Bioimaging facilities/labs have to contain the following acknowledgement:
“The National Infrastructure France-BioImaging (https://ror.org/01y7vt929) supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR-24-INBS-0005 FBI BIOGEN)”
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