Euro-Bioimaging

SPAIN

Bilbao Node

Located within the Science Park of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in the Bilbao metropolitan area, the Bilbao node conducts quantitative research on cellular processes, focusing on molecular interactions and biophysical phenomena such as lipid-mediated protein interactions. The node's work includes lipid-order imaging of model membranes and cells, high-resolution structural biology studies of macromolecular assemblies, and studies on the neurobiology of neuron-glial interactions. The Bilbao Node, Spain is a collaborative initiative between the imaging platforms of the Instituto Biofisika (CSIC-UPV/EHU) and the Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, uniting complementary strengths in advanced light and electron microscopy.

The Bilbao Node serves as a premier resource in the Basque region, providing state-of-the-art microscopy technologies, including super-resolution, confocal, and electron microscopes, as well as live-cell imaging systems that enable high-resolution, three-dimensional, and time-lapse imaging essential for capturing intricate structural details and dynamic processes across biological and material sciences. Alongside this advanced technology, the Node offers expert support and training through workshops, personalized sessions, and assistance with experimental design, data acquisition, and image analysis, empowering researchers to utilize these tools entirely. By fostering an interdisciplinary research environment, the facility brings together scientists from fields such as molecular and structural biology, neuroscience, and materials science, creating a collaborative space where insights from diverse fields converge to advance knowledge through microscopy.

The Node also provides access to sophisticated imaging software and data analysis tools, supporting precise processing and quantification of microscopy data. Open to both academic and industrial researchers, it promotes scientific engagement and innovation, positioning the Basque region as a hub for groundbreaking advances in microscopy and neuroscience on a regional and international level.

Dedicated to understanding the organization and processing of information within neural circuits, the Node focuses on uncovering the genetic and molecular foundations that shape these circuits throughout development and aging. Researchers also investigate the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative and autoimmune brain diseases, supporting translational research into novel therapeutic strategies for treating brain disorders. Through its unique combination of advanced imaging technology and expertise—including cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)—the Bilbao Node supports a broad range of scientific studies, with an emphasis on the structural and functional mechanisms that govern biological systems at molecular and cellular levels, particularly within biophysics.

The Bilbao Node integrates three complementary open-access platforms: the Achucarro Imaging Facility, the Basque Resource for Advanced Light Microscopy (BRALM), and the Basque Resource for Electron Microscopy (BREM). Together, they form one of the most advanced cryo-EM infrastructures in southern Europe. Recent developments, such as the installation of a Titan Krios G4 optimized for cryo-electron tomography, an Aquilos2 cryo-FIB-SEM with integrated fluorescence microscopy (iFLM), and the Talos F200i, have significantly enhanced regional capabilities. These systems enable high-resolution structural and functional studies of biological specimens including cryo-CLEM workflows, and address key technological and geographic gaps in European microscopy infrastructure. This comprehensive platform supports cutting-edge research and facilitates collaboration across academia and industry.