From Animal Handling to Data: Imaging Facilities in Preclinical Research 2026

Basic information

This two-day introductory course focuses on how preclinical imaging facilities can actively support and enhance animal-based research, from study planning to data acquisition. Aimed at researchers and technical staff new to preclinical models or imaging workflows, the course introduces essential principles of proper and ethical animal handling in the specific context of facility-based imaging experiments.

Participants will learn how imaging facilities contribute to animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and experimental quality by providing expertise in animal preparation, handling during imaging procedures, and protocol optimization. The course emphasizes the value of early collaboration with facility staff to reduce experimental variability, improve reproducibility, and ensure efficient use of animal models.

The course will introduce several imaging methods in multimodal preclinical imaging, including in vivo two-photon microscopy, in vivo multi-photon-based label-free techniques (SHG, THG, CARS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of small rodents on real examples and case studies.

Date: 8-9 September, 2026
Language: English
Intended audience: researchers (PhD candidates, Postdocs, Principal Investigators, etc.) with a serious interest in integrating in vivo imaging into their projects

Further information, including the registration link, is available on the Institute of Physiology course webpage.