Courses and seminars

Zuckerberg Initiative Imaging Lecture Series: Dr. Michal Cagalinec’s Talk on Confocal Microscopy

On May 29th, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Michal Cagalinec as a speaker in the Zuckerberg Initiative Imaging Lecture Series. His lecture, “Confocal Microscopy for Calcium and Mitochondrial Imaging: Applications to Wolfram Syndrome”, offered valuable insights into advanced imaging applications.

Dr. Cagalinec, a biomedical physicist specializing in fluorescence microscopy, presented his research on calcium signaling and mitochondrial dynamics in excitable cells such as cardiomyocytes, neurons, and pancreatic beta cells. In particular, he discussed in greater detail the imaging of calcium signals in cardiomyocytes derived from a Wolfram syndrome type 1 animal model. The talk also highlighted techniques such as super-resolution microscopy, optogenetics, and electron microscopy in the context of Wolfram syndrome and heart disease. 

The Hands-on Confocal Microscopy Course for Beginners III Is Available, May 12-14, 2025

The third edition of our Hands-on Training Course for Beginners in Confocal Microscopy is coming again. This 3-day course, followed by a two-week individual hands-on training, offers foundational knowledge of confocal microscopy principles and practical experience with the core facility’s microscopes. The program includes lectures, image analysis, and hands-on sessions, emphasizing live-cell imaging.

Free for PhD students and research staff from the University of Tartu and research institutions across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Basic microscopy knowledge required. More information...

Join Us for a Guest Lecture in the Zuckerberg Initiative Imaging Lecture Series

You are warmly invited to a guest lecture by Professor Ting-Fen Tsai, Distinguished Professor at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan.

Lecture Title: “Activation of CISD2 as a Therapeutic Strategy to Ameliorate Alzheimer’s Disease: Evidence from Molecular Imaging and Pathology”

Date: Monday, May 5, 2025

Time: 11:00 AM Location: Biomedicum, Room 1024

In this lecture, Prof. Tsai will dive into her groundbreaking research on aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and mitochondrial health. Her lab has made major strides in uncovering the role of the Cisd2 gene—a key longevity gene linked to mitochondrial function and lifespan regulation. Prof. Tsai will share her team’s exciting work on Cisd2 activation as a promising therapeutic strategy to combat neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. This is a unique opportunity to hear from a leading expert at the forefront of aging research and drug development.

You’re Invited to a Special Seminar – May 6 at 11:00 AM, 2025

Location: Biomedicum, Room 0093

We’re excited to invite you to an engaging seminar with Dr. Jukka Kallijärvi, Principal Investigator at the Folkhälsan Research Center and the Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program at the University of Helsinki.

Seminar Title: “GRACILE Syndrome – A Fetal-Onset Mitochondrial Progeria”

Dr. Kallijärvi will share his team’s fascinating research on GRACILE syndrome, a rare mitochondrial disorder that affects newborns. His lab is exploring the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex III (CIII) deficiencies that lead to this condition, which has a severe impact on multiple organs.

Through patient mutation knock-in mouse models, Dr. Kallijärvi is testing different approaches, like pharmacological treatments, dietary changes, and gene therapy, to understand the disease and find new treatment options.

CZI Spring School: Special Focus on High-throughput Imaging and Automated Image Analysis, April 9-11, 2025
The CZI Spring School at Kernu Manor, Harjumaa, brought together Estonian PIs and their team members active in the imaging field for a three-day intensive workshop focused on advancing bioimaging capabilities in Estonia. The program featured expert lectures, presentations, and discussions on high-throughput imaging, automated image analysis, and high-resolution microscopy techniques.

Highlights included sessions on machine learning applications, cutting-edge imaging hardware, and the future directions of the Estonian Bioimaging Network. The event concluded with a round table to strategize support activities, equipment priorities, and funding opportunities aimed at strengthening imaging research across the country.

Operetta CLS High-Content Analysis System Training Successfully Completed

The new high-content imaging tool, the Operetta CLS system, is now available for use, providing researchers with powerful capabilities for high-content imaging and analysis. The Operetta CLS Analysis System training took place on January 28–29, 2025 equipping participants with essential knowledge for utilizing this advanced system. The first two days focused on the hardware aspects, including how to capture images, navigate the software, select appropriate cell culture plates and slides, and use different objectives and other key components for daily operations

This was followed by a two-week virtual and hands-on training when attendees had access to a virtual system, allowing them to gain in-depth expertise in image analysis as well practical skills to apply the Operetta CLS system to their specific research questions.

The hands-on confocal microscopy course for beginners is being offered again, June 3-4, 2024
Due to the high popularity of last year's course, the BSMI Core Laboratory for Biomedical Imaging is pleased to announce a repeat of our hands-on training course for beginners in confocal microscopy. This course is specifically designed for researchers, faculty members, and PhD students new to
confocal microscopy.
Participants will be introduced to the capabilities of the confocal microscopes available at our institute, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for using these advanced imaging tools. Completion of this course is a prerequisite for future use of the core laboratory's
microscopes.
For more information and programm see attached file.

Meeting with Euro-BioImaging Hub Team, May 8, 2024
We are glad to highlight our recent one-day workshop with esteemed members of the Euro-BioImaging Hub Team, including Director General John Eriksson, Head of Operations Ilari Pulli, and Head of Legal Services and International Relations Amaranta Amador Bernal. This productive session
in Tartu, which included members of the Estonian bioimaging community, centred on discussions surrounding national coordination and prospective collaborations. Of particular note was the exploration of the potential establishment of a new Euro-BioImaging Node in Estonia. It was an
engaging exchange that underscored our shared commitment to advancing bioimaging research and technology on both regional and international levels.
Learn more https://www.eurobioimaging.eu/news/exciting-collaboration-ahead-/


Tartu Science Night 2024
On Friday, March 9th, visitors of all ages were welcomed to the Biomedical facility for the second Tartu Science Night. The biomedical core facility played a key role in the imaging demonstrations, introducing how microscopes are used in pre-clinical research today and showcasing live cell imaging
in neurons.
More information: https://biomeditsiin.ut.ee/en/content/tartu-science-night


CZI Winter School: Building the Estonian Bioimaging Network, January 22-24, 2024
The recent CZI Winter School, tailored to explore imaging tools for organelle visualisation, united key PIs in Estonia's bioimaging field. Leading investigators from Estonian research institutions convened to discuss their active projects and share ongoing research efforts in the imaging field. Alongside these presentations, representatives from biotech firms and the Ministry's Head of Research Infrastructure participated remotely via ZOOM, enriching the discourse with their insights.

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Imaging Lecture Series

Join us for upcoming lectures presented as part of the CZI Imaging Lecture Series, which will take place at Biomeedikum on October 25th and 31st. This exciting initiative brings together leading experts and practitioners in the field of imaging.

More information:

1. INVESTIGATION OF MOLECULAR SIGNALS GUIDING SYNAPTIC PRUNING: THE SYNERGY OF MOLECULAR TOOLS AND HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGING
2. WOLFRAM SYNDROME: CALCIUM IMAGING, MITOCHONDRIAL ACTIVITY AND BEYOND

 

Course on Super-Resolution Microscopy

Additionally, we are delighted to announce an upcoming Exploring High-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques course.

For more information and program

Hands-on training cource for beginners in confocal microscopy, May 22-24, 2023 

This 3-day course aims to provide basic knowledge of the working principles of confocal imaging and introduce the available confocal microscopes in the core facility. The course integrates theoretical lectures with hands-on experiments and practical experience with an emphasis on live-cell imaging. Training is free of charge and is open to PhD students and research staff of the University of Tartu and other research institutions from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.  
More info...

Brain Awareness Week
Come celebrate Brain Awareness Week with University of Tartu scientists! Science Night Tartu takes place as part of the Brain Awareness week. People of all ages are welcomed to the event. See you on March 17 from 18.00-22.00 at Biomeedikum in Tartu (Ravila 19).

Forthcoming courses

The hands-on training course “Conventional confocal imaging (Zeiss LSM 780 and Zeiss LSM 980)” will be held in early spring 2023. Thanks to CZI support it will be fully open and free to external users.

More information will be available here in December

Forthcoming seminars

“The origin of noise”. Allen Kaasik. 30.11.2022 in SIME seminar room