Record funding for Finnish bioimaging opens new opportunities
Euro-BioImaging Finland (EB-Fi) comprises the finest imaging units of seven universities and three university hospitals. Their services encompass 56 technologies, ranging from the laser microscopy imaging of individual molecules to the PET imaging of entire human bodies. Tampere University’s Imaging Facility is part of the infrastructure coordinated by Turku.
EB-Fi has been selected for the national research infrastructure roadmap for the period of 2025–2028, which is why the Research Council of Finland granted it the record amount of €28 million. The Council also nominated this infrastructure as one of the ‘lighthouses’ in Finland. Lighthouses are the most prestigious research infrastructures in Finland with broad societal significance. There are only six of them in Finland.
The funding granted by the Research Council of Finland will be used to develop new imaging technologies and services, and artificial intelligence methods. Tampere Imaging Facility’s share of the funding is €500,000.
Enhanced capacity for studying cells and tissues
Tampere Imaging Facility will use the funding to acquire equipment that enables the rapid 3D imaging of biological and biomaterial samples.
“The new device can be utilised for imaging various cell cultures and small model organisms, such as zebrafish or fruit flies. Model organisms can even be imaged alive. The device collects optical slices from samples and uses them to create three-dimensional images,” explains Teemu Ihalainen, Director of Tampere Imaging Facility.
In addition to faster imaging, the purchase will also enable long-term microscopic imaging of cells or small model organisms, which will enhance researchers’ ability to study the dynamics and structure of cells and tissues.
“This will help us to understand how cells function and interact with their micro-environment and even inside a living organism. A better understanding of these processes is essential if we want to develop tissue engineering applications for, e.g., various diseases in the future," Ihalainen says.
The upcoming acquisition by Tampere Imaging Facility will support EB-Fi’s key role in drug development, the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, and basic research across many scientific disciplines.
Tampere Imaging Facility assists companies in product development
Tampere Imaging Facility is currently undertaking the MicroAccel project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, with the aim of making the facility’s equipment and expertise more accessible to companies in the Pirkanmaa region. The project is also developing new microscopy technology.
According to Project Manager Jenni Karttunen, the project is going well.
“Our first collaboration projects are underway, and it is great that we can use our expertise to support the product development of companies also in the Pirkanmaa region. We are organising a presentation event for businesses on Thursday, 24 April 2025, and all companies interested in microscopy are welcome to join!” Karttunen says.
Further information
Project Manager Jenni Karttunen
Tampere Imaging Facility
jenni.karttunen [at] tuni.fi (jenni[dot]karttunen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
050 307 2799
Associate Professor Teemu Ihalainen
Director of Tampere Imaging Facility
teemu.ihalainen [at] tuni.fi (teemu[dot]ihalainen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
050 318 7202
Tampere Imaging Facility at Tampere University
EuroBioImaging Finland
MicroAccel project
