On May 25th, 2021, 15:00 CSET, our partner the French Network for Multidimensional Optical Fluorescence Microscopy will receive Edward S. Boyden* from the MIT, USA for a webinar on Expansion Microscopy: “Tools for analyzing and repairing biological systems”.
The presentation will be broadcast live on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Xc48aDLDZDI
*invited by Tudor Manoliu (Imaging and Cytometry platform-Gustave Roussy/ FBI Paris-Sud Node)
For several weeks now, the H2P2 histopathology platform located in Rennes (France BioImaging Bretagne-Loire Node) has become the European reference for the integral solution of Cell DIVE (https://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/light-microscopes/p/cell-dive/).
This technology brings great expectations for the research teams and the private companies with which we work. Leica’s Cell DIVE technology provides an in-depth solution for characterizing the tissue microenvironment using multiplexed imaging technology. Up to 60 biomarkers can be revealed in one tissue sample. An extensive list of antibodies is already validated and users can customize their own panel! The multiplexed Cell DIVE technology is based on successive immunolabeling of 4 antibodies conjugated with 4 fluorochromes (Cy2, Cy3, Cy5 and Cy7). The slides are digitized (x20 objective) as things progress and a final compiled image is obtained and can be analysed with the Halo Image Analysis Platform. This software allows users to do segmentation to highlight clusters, to define specific cell phenotypes, to analyse neighbourhood, heatmap…
For example, in cancer treatment research, researchers need a better understanding of the cellular architecture of normal and diseased tissues to develop better treatments and more accurately predict disease progression.
This technology has been developed by scientists for scientists over the last decade and several publications are available to date (https://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/light-microscopes/p/cell-dive/publications/).
For more information about the Cell Dive technology or to discuss your project, you can contact Nicolas Mouchet nicolas.mouchet@univ-rennes1.fr
COMULIS is now launching a call to financially support virtual and hybrid training schools fulfilling the following conditions:
Maximum amount of a grant is 10000 euros, that will be reimbursed on presentation of invoices strictly related to eligible fees above.
Filling an online form https://forms.gle/tJqaLmauZDA5V58o6 with check of the above conditions, (pedagogical) program, list of organizers, speakers and trainers, dates, provisional budget including usage of the COMULIS financial support in regards of one or several of the above categories of eligible expenses.
Deadline 1st of June. Notification of acceptance: 15th of June. (if needed earlier please do tell us, and we will do our best to meet you own deadline in case of co-funding).
Criteria among eligible proposals (fulfilling the above checklist) will be based on matching COMULIS objectives (www.comulis.eu) and scientific excellence. Proposal will be ranked by grade following this criteria, and funded until the available budget is used up. Three to ten possible grants, according to budget.
Contact: Perrine.paul-gilloteaux@univ-nantes.fr, andreas.walter@vbcf.ac.at
Direct and simultaneous observation of transcription and chromosome architecture in single cells with Hi-M
Andrés M. Cardozo Gizzi, Sergio M. Espinola, Julian Gurgo, Christophe Houbron, Jean-Bernard Fiche, Diego I. Cattoni, Marcelo Nollmann
Simultaneous observation of 3D chromatin organization and transcription at the single cell level and with high spatial resolution may hold the key to unveil the mechanisms regulating embryonic development, cell differentiation and even disease. We have recently developed Hi-M, a technology that allows for the sequential labelling, 3D imaging and localization of multiple genomic DNA loci together with RNA expression in single cells within whole, intact Drosophila embryos. Importantly, Hi-M enables simultaneous detection of RNA expression and chromosome organization without requiring sample unmounting and primary probe re-hybridization. Here, we provide a step-by-step protocol describing the design of probes, the preparation of samples, the stable immobilization of embryos into microfluidics chambers, and the complete procedure for image acquisition. The combined RNA/DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization procedure takes 4-5 days including embryo collection. In addition, we describe image analysis software to segment nuclei, detect genomic spots, correct for drift and produce Hi-M matrices. A typical Hi-M experiment takes 1-2 days to complete all rounds of labelling and imaging and 4 additional days for image analysis. This technology can be easily expanded to investigate cell differentiation in cultured cells, or organization of chromatin within complex tissues.
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41596-019-0269-9
Contact: Marcelo Nolmann marcnol@gmail.com
ATP-driven separation of liquid phase condensates in bacteria
B. Guilhas, J.C. Walter, J. Rech, G. David, N.-O. Walliser, J. Palmeri, C., Mathieu-Demaziere, A. Parmeggiani, J.Y. Bouet, A. Le Gall1, M. Nollmann
Liquid-liquid phase separated (LLPS) states are key to compartmentalise components in the absence of membranes, however it is unclear whether LLPS condensates are actively and specifically organized in the sub-cellular space and by which mechanisms. Here, we address this question by focusing on the ParABS DNA segregation system, composed of a centromeric-like sequence (parS), a DNA-binding protein (ParB) and a motor (ParA). We show that parS-ParB associate to form nanometer-sized, round condensates. ParB molecules diffuse rapidly within the nucleoid volume, but display confined motions when trapped inside ParB condensates. Single ParB molecules are able to rapidly diffuse between different condensates, and nucleation is strongly favoured by parS. Notably, the ParA motor is required to prevent the fusion of ParB condensates. These results describe a novel active mechanism that splits, segregates and localises non-canonical LLPS condensates in the sub-cellular space.
Guilhas et al. revealed that the bacterial DNA segregation apparatus behaves as a non-canonical phase separation system. This apparatus employs an ATP-powered motor that splits nanometer-sized condensates and localizes them robustly within the nucleoid to ensure faithful transmission of genetic material.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2020.06.034
Contact: Marcelo Nolmann marcnol@gmail.com
The ability to communicate effectively with each other is one of the strongest predictors for our chances to get ahead in life. In their latest publication in Science Advances, scientists and engineers from IGF-Montpellier (CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier), IPAM platform (BioCampus Montpellier, France-Bioimaging Montpellier Node) and ARO-Israel demonstrated that this also holds true for GnRH neurons.
In humans and all vertebrates, species survival depends on a critical step during embryonic development: the migration of a small subset of GnRH neurons (about 2,000 in humans and less than 100 in fish) from the nose to the brain where they join the hypothalamus to control reproduction. Their latest results unveiled that GnRH neurons make a pause at the nose-brain frontier where they function as an inter-hemispheric network that is isolated from the rest of the brain. Only neurons that integrate into the network and are able to communicate with their neighbors will finally cross the barrier and make their way into the brain, towards their hypothalamic destination.
In other words, these GnRH neurons, that are critical for species persistence, face the same challenges like other immigrants: they must learn to communicate effectively if they are to integrate into their new world.
In this study, in vivo 2-photon microscopy was a key tool for:
M. Golan, J. Boulanger-Weill, A. Pinot, P. Fontanaud, A. Faucherre, D. S. Gajbhiye, L. Hollander-Cohen, T. Fiordelisio-Coll, A. O. Martin, P. Mollard, Synaptic communication mediates the assembly of a self-organizing circuit that controls reproduction. Sci. Adv. 7, eabc8475 (2021). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc8475
Contact: Patrice Mollard, IGF, Montpellier patrice.mollard@igf.cnrs.fr
L’appel à candidature pour le prix « Pierre Favard » 2021 de la Société Française des Microscopies est ouvert.
Ce prix récompense depuis 1989 des travaux de thèse réalisés dans une université française dans le domaine de la microscopie électronique, photonique, en champ proche, ou de la sonde atomique. Un prix est attribué en Sciences du Vivant et un autre en Sciences de la Matière. Ils sont décernés tous les deux ans. Pour cette édition, ils couronneront des travaux de thèse soutenus entre le 1er mars 2019 et le 28 février 2021. Chaque lauréat(e) est invité(e) à donner une conférence à l’issue de la remise du prix, lors de la réunion biennale de la Société qui est prévue à Reims du 5 au 9 Juillet 2021. Les prix (1000 € chacun) sont sponsorisés par des compagnies.
La date limite de dépôt des candidatures est fixée au 21 mars 2021.
Les présidents des jurys sont :
Jean-Marc Verbavatz (jean-marc.verbavatz@u-paris.fr) pour les Sciences du Vivant et
Martin Hytch (martin.hytch@cemes.fr) pour les Sciences de la Matière.
PRIX FAVARD : modalités de candidature.
Voir également: https://sfmu.fr/fr/bourses_prix/prix-favard/
1. Les candidats doivent fournir un exemplaire papier et une version « pdf » de leurs travaux de thèse, un curriculum vitae d’une page maximum et le fichier modèle ci-dessous dûment complété. Le dossier (papier et électronique) devra être envoyé au président de jury de leur discipline avec copie électronique au secrétariat de la SFμ (sfmu@sfmu.fr) et à la présidente (catherine.venien-bryan@upmc.fr).
2. Les candidats doivent être membre de la Société à la date de dépôt de leur dossier.
3. La Société Française des Microscopies prend en charge l’inscription au congrès de Reims, l’hébergement des lauréats (à hauteur de 90€/nuit) et rembourse le billet aller-retour en 2e classe (train) ou classe économique (pour la voie aérienne), sur présentation des factures originales et d’un ordre de mission sans frais.
Les deux présidents de jury nommés par le Conseil d’administration de la SFμ sont mandatés pour composer un jury de plusieurs personnes. Chaque jury est chargé de sélectionner et de classer les trois meilleurs candidats. Le Conseil de la SFμ, sur proposition des jurys et sur rapport des présidents, désigne les deux lauréats.
France BioImaging is pleased to invite you to participate to France BioImaging 6th Annual Meeting. For this edition, the meeting will be organized as a two-half days virtual meeting (from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) on February 4th & 5th, 2021.
This event, open to all members of the bioimaging community, aims to provide a platform to discuss pivotal subject matters in our field.
The 2021 program of the France BioImaging Annual meeting is built around two pillars:
Registration is free but mandatory in order to receive the Zoom link: https://univ-nantes-fr.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAof-itqjgjHNCQOGpsw4_2ERWm__3zUU0R
Program
ZOOM Etiquette
We look forward to your participation!
A l’occasion de la MorningTech Photonique & Santé organisée par Photonics Bretagne et Biotech Santé Bretagne le 2 février 2021 de 9h30 à 12h00, Marc Tramier, coordinateur du Nœud Bretagne-Loire de France BioImaging présentera “les technologies photoniques des plateformes de Biogenouest au service de l’imagerie pré-clinique“.
Programme et inscriptions: https://www.biotech-sante-bretagne.fr/agenda/morningtech-photonique-sante/
Imaging of proteins, cells, and tissues is critical to understanding health and disease. On December 2nd, 2020, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) announced nearly $32 million in funding to support biomedical imaging researchers, technology development, and the BioImaging North America international network of bioimaging facilities and communities. CZI also opened a new Request for Applications (RFA) aimed at supporting technology development that will allow researchers to see the inner workings of cells, including proteins, at near-atomic resolution to better understand what causes disease and how to develop treatments.
Frontiers of Imaging: Visual Proteomics
The Frontiers of Imaging initiative, part of CZI’s broader Imaging program, supports the development of disruptive imaging technologies that connect biological scales across organs, cells, and proteins, allowing researchers to directly visualize biological processes at the necessary resolution and context to obtain a mechanistic understanding of health and disease. As part of the Frontiers initiative, the new Visual Proteomics Imaging RFA supports technology development that will allow researchers to see the inner workings of cells, including proteins, at near-atomic resolution. CZI invites scientists to apply for this 2 1/2-year grant opportunity to support the development of hardware, software, and methods. Examples of research themes could include hardware and software development to enhance contrast and resolution for electron tomography, high-resolution correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM), and FIB-SEM; sample preparation improvements for electron tomography; and development of software or new computational techniques and algorithms for identifying protein molecules inside cells and segmenting sub-cellular structures.
The Visual Proteomics Imaging RFA accept applications until February 17, 2021 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
For more information and application instructions, please visit CZI’s online grants management portal.
For administrative and programmatic inquiries, technical assistance, or other questions pertaining to this RFA, please contact: sciencegrants@chanzuckerberg.com.
Learn more about CZI’s Frontiers of Imaging effort.
Congratulations to Emmanuel Beaurepaire (CNRS Research Director from the Laboratory for Optics and Biosciences CNRS-INSERM-Polytechnique), PI of the ERC Synergy Grant project “HOPE”, and to Laurent Groc (CNRS Research Director ; Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience), coordinator of the ERC Synergy Grant project “ENSEMBLE“, Laurent Cognet (CNRS Research Director ; Laboratoire photonique numérique et nanosciences) and U. Valentin Nägerl (Professor at University of Bordeaux ; CNRS Research Director ; Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience), both PIs of the ERC Synergy Grant project “ENSEMBLE“.
These grants, each worth around 10 million euro over six years, are designed to enable groups of 2 to 4 scientists to tackle some of the world’s most challenging research problems, spanning several scientific disciplines.
The ERC Synergy Grant scheme is part of the EU’s research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020.
“Reverse engineering the assembly of the hippocampal scaffold with novel optical and transgenic strategies”
At the heart of our brain, a structure plays a key role in memory, and more particularly in the acquisition and maintenance of our memories: the hippocampus. Classically considered as a “cognitive GPS” for space and time, it is also the seat of our episodic memory.
Over the last decade, the neural circuits of the hippocampus have been better described, in particular by the team of Rosa Cossart, director of the Institut de neurobiologie de la méditerranée (Inmed), but the nature, origin and remodeling of these circuits during development and pathologies remain to be understood.
On the other hand, genetic engineering techniques for staining neurons, developed by Jean Livet, Inserm research director at the Institut de la vision, coupled with multi-photon microscopy developed by the team of Emmanuel Beaurepaire, CNRS research director at the Laboratoire d’optique et biosciences – LOB (illustration below / read the 2019 press release in French), have demonstrated their ability to accurately map the complex architecture of neuronal circuits and their evolution during development.
By combining these exceptional multidisciplinary advances, HOPE aims to answer three interdependent questions:
HOPE aims to shed new light on the function of the hippocampus and the role of its neuronal circuits through the design of a new, non-invasive and universal method to monitor the growth and construction of brain circuits located deep in the brain, from their neurogenesis to adulthood, under normal and pathological conditions.
Taken from CNRS Press release: https://www.iledefrance-gif.cnrs.fr/fr/cnrsinfo/erc-synergy-grant-2020-3-projets-impliquant-le-cnrs-sur-le-territoire-paris-saclay
“Structure and functions of the brain extracellular space“
The ENSEMBLE project aims at underpinning the molecular mechanisms of physiological and pathological brain function. This ambitious and innovative endeavor is based on our ability to develop new approaches in high-resolution microscopy at the service of a new conceptual framework in brain cell communication.
This project has roots in the international leadership of the Bordeaux community in the fields of microscopy, nanophotonics, fundamental and translational neuroscience. The opportunity that is offered to these 4 investigators to break a frontier knowledge was permitted by the continuous support of local institutional actors. The installation of Prof. Valentin Nägerl’s laboratory in 2009 with a “Chaire Accueil” from the Regional Council of Aquitaine, the support of LabEx BRAIN, the Laphia Cluster and the IdEx of the University of Bordeaux provided the ground to build elementary blocks necessary for the challenging adventure of the ERC Synergy project (10 million euros, 6 years).
Taken from Bordeaux Neurocampus Press release: https://www.bordeaux-neurocampus.fr/en/erc-synergy-award-2020-for-groc-bezard-nagerl-and-cognet/
We are very pleased to announce that FBI Bretagne-Loire Node application to become a Euro BioImaging facility has been evaluated as highly recommended by the EuBI Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and ratified by the EuBI Board on November 30th, 2020.
The Bretagne Loire Node became a node of the national infrastructure France BioImaging in November 2019 and applied to become a EuBI facility during the last EuBI Call for Nodes (June 2020).
The Bretagne Loire Node brings together four cellular imaging and histology facilities, two in Rennes (MRic and H2P2) and two in Nantes (MicroPIcell and APEX). These facilities have complementary expertise for live imaging and pathological anatomy. The added value of the Bretagne Loire Node is to be able to offer a continuum between biological imaging and medical imaging, through the development of a new line of services as well as methodological and technological transfer to users of microscopy technologies for preclinical studies.
These facilities will now be open to Euro-BioImaging users as part of the French BioImaging Node of Euro-BioImaging.
As part of the Euro-BioImaging research infrastructure, the services provided by these facilities will be open to all scientists, regardless of their discipline or affiliation.
