Over the past two decades, advances in imaging technologies have revolutionized biology and medicine. Techniques such as super-resolution microscopy, lightsheet, cryo- and volume electron microscopy have been recognized as “Method of the Year” for their transformative impact. These tools allow researchers to visualize and quantify biological processes at unprecedented resolution, offering critical insights into health, disease, and cellular function
All Nordic countries involved in the consortium—Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark—have made significant national investments in state-of-the-art microscopy infrastructures. These facilities provide open access to a wide spectrum of advanced imaging technologies, supporting both academic and industrial users. However, despite this strong foundation, cross-border collaboration and coordinated use of resources remain limited. To address this, the Bridging Nordic Microscopy Infrastructure (BNMI) initiative was launched in 2021, creating a functional and dynamic network that has already strengthened Nordic collaboration. BNMI has supported shared training, facility staff exchanges, and researcher mobility—laying the groundwork for a well-integrated Nordic imaging community. BNMI-II will build on this successful foundation to deepen collaboration and ensure long-term sustainability. It aims to:
- Continue and expand mobility programs for researchers and facility staff through job-shadowing and short-term scientific visits
- Organize joint symposia, workshops, and technical training to promote knowledge exchange and professional development
- Drive technology and method development, including AI-driven and multimodal imaging workflows, through dedicated expert groups.
- Strengthen data management, open science, and alignment with FAIR principles for better data sharing and reproducibility
- Promote gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring balanced participation and support for early-career researchers and underrepresented groups
By uniting national infrastructures under a coordinated regional effort, BNMI-II will transform existing capabilities into a shared Nordic platform—amplifying scientific impact, increasing global visibility, and reinforcing the region’s leadership in advanced imaging. Closely linked to Euro-BioImaging ERIC and other international initiatives, BNMI-II will help Nordic researchers tackle complex biomedical questions and remain at the forefront of life science innovation.
