Success of Brno science at the European Microscopy Congress in Copenhagen

Electron microscopes and Brno belong together. This is evidenced by the participation in the European Microscopy Congress 2024, which took place on 25-30 August in Copenhagen.

This prestigious congress, focused on microscopy and imaging techniques, is a key meeting point for experts from all over the world and represents a unique opportunity to present achievements in this field. Brno was represented by the Brnoregion Microscopy platform, bringing together local electron microscope manufacturers, universities and research institutions. Thanks to the project of the Centre for International Trade at the Brno Regional Chamber of Commerce, participation was also possible for start-ups and smaller companies from the region. The delegation was led by Brno City Councillor Martin Příborský.

The Congress included the election of the President of the European Microscopy Society (EMS). The Society brings together scientists and engineers focused on optical and electron microscopy and other advanced methods of sample visualization. It represents national organisations and represents the top of the field in Europe. The city of Brno has been a great success here, with Dr. Vladislav Krzyžánek from the Institute of Instrumentation of the CAS in Brno elected to head the EMS. This is the first time that a representative from Central Europe has held this important position.

Another “Brno” success was the European Microscopy Award for pioneering development in the field of deep tissue endomicroscopy, given to Professor Tomáš Čižmar, also from the Institute of Instrumentation of the CAS. He was involved in the development of the endoscope, an instrument the thickness of a human hair, which will facilitate imaging in medicine and neuroscience research.

He managed to figure out how to make the endoscope, an instrument used to examine hard-to-reach parts of the body, smaller enough for doctors to use it to gently view areas that were previously inaccessible to them.

This opened the door to deep exploration of tissue or blood flow dynamics, and helped neuroscientists study how neurons, or brain cells, behave in the flesh. This knowledge is helping to understand and treat serious neuronal diseases, including dementia.

The European Microscopy Award is presented every four years by the European Microscopy Society to scientists who have made advances and original results in the field of microscopy. The award comes with a financial prize of €3 000, or around 75 000 crowns.