10th ANNIVERSARY
Spanish & Portuguese Advanced Optical Microscopy Meeting
SPAOM 2026
Workshops edition
About the meeting
What is SPAOM?
SPAOM is the annual joint event organized by REMOA (Red Española de Microscopía Óptica Avanzada) and PPBI (Portuguese Platform of BioImaging). Its mission is to bring together the Iberian and European scientific communities, fostering networking around cutting-edge developments in optical microscopy and image analysis across the biological and biomedical sciences.
The 10th edition of SPAOM introduces a new format focused on workshops. This edition is designed to be open, participatory, and highly practical, with a strong emphasis on hands-on activities, interaction, and knowledge exchange across the full spectrum of bioimaging workflows.
Dates
6th – 9th October 2026
Location
Vic (Barcelona, Spain)
Venue
Firal “El Sucre”
Participate
Registration & Abstract Submission
Registration
Secure your place at SPAOM 2026. Registration is OPEN. Registration includes access to all sessions and workshops, accommodation can be reserved through the same registration form.
Registration fees (VAT excl.):
Academic: 350,- EUR
Students: 200,- EUR
Industry: 600,- EUR
More options (day pass, etc..) available
Abstract Submission
Submit your abstract for oral or poster presentation.
We welcome contributions on all aspects of advanced optical microscopy, bioimaging and bioimage analysis.
(Open Call for community workshops : see below)
Keynotes & Invited Talks
Speakers
Friedrich Schiller University Jena & Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT), Germany
Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay, CNRS & Université Paris-Saclay, France
Schedule
Scientific Program
- Scientific sessions (orientative):
- Biomedical Imaging & Omics/Multiplexing
- Artificial Intelligence & Imaging
- New Microscopy Developments
- Cellular Dynamics
- Advanced Materials
- Posters presentations and Flash talks in any bioimaging and Life science related topics.
- Industry Workshops: Over 70 industry workshops are expected, in 6 parallel sessions.
- Community Workshops: Up to 20 will be selected from an Open Call, in 6 parallel sessions.
- Tutorials: several tutorials on selected topics will be delivered on Tuesday 6/10.
- Round tables: parallel round tables on selected topics.
More info soon !
Tentative Schedule, subject to changes:
| Tue 6 Oct | Wed 7 Oct | Thu 8 Oct | Fri 9 Oct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plenary Session | Plenary Session | Round Tables | |
| Network break | Network break | Network break | |
| Industry Workshops | Industry Workshops | Plenary Session | |
| Shuttle from Barcelona, time TBA | Community Workshops | Community Workshops | Farewell |
| Arrival | Lunch – Posters | Lunch, Posters, Open Science | Lunch bag, Shuttle departure ~13h30 |
| Tutorials or Community Workshops | Industry Workshops | Industry Workshops | |
| Network break | Network break | Network break | |
| Community Workshops | Industry / Community Workshops | Industry / Community Workshops | |
| Keynote, Plenary | Plenary session | Plenary session | |
| Welcome networking | Free evening | Social event |
Signature sessions
Community Workshops
Community workshops are the signature session of SPAOM meetings, where scientists and/or technologists present scientific imaging through novel instrumentation, workflows or tools with a perspective more oriented towards practical aspects.
OPEN CALL ! We welcome proposals for community workshops, don’t miss the opportunity !
Submission Deadline: July, 1st, 2026.
Partners
Industry Partners
There are currently 18 confirmed sponsors, information to follow here imminently.
Interested in sponsoring? Contact us:
sponsors.spaom2026@remoa.net
Getting there
Vic (Barcelona, Spain)
A Historic and Inspiring City
SPAOM2026 will be hosted in Vic, a vibrant university city where Roman origins and a well-preserved medieval heritage create a unique and inspiring setting. Compact and welcoming, Vic invites visitors to explore its historic streets, traditional markets, and lively public squares, where history and everyday life remain closely connected.
Heritage and Cultural Identity
From Roman remains to its medieval heart, Vic offers a rich cultural experience shaped by centuries of history, art, and local identity. Landmarks such as the Catedral de Sant Pere de Vic, with the remarkable paintings by Josep Maria Sert, reflect the city’s artistic heritage. Vic’s medieval spirit also comes alive through events such as the Mercat Medieval de Vic.
Gastronomy and Community Life
Renowned for its gastronomy, Vic celebrates a strong culinary tradition rooted in local produce, traditional markets, and artisanal food culture. Its vibrant cultural associations and traditional festivities reflect a strong sense of community and local identity.
A University City
Vic is home to the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya, a leading institution recognized for its expertise in health sciences, research, and education, reinforcing the city’s role as a center for knowledge and innovation.
Discover Vic through SPAOM2026 and experience a city where heritage, science, tradition, and community come together in an inspiring setting for exchange and collaboration.
Conference venue
Firal “El Sucre”
Plaça del Sucre, Vic, Barcelona
The venue for SPAOM2026 was selected to provide an open-plan space where exhibitors and participants can easily meet and navigate, avoiding complex layouts with hard-to-find rooms or multiple levels. This design minimizes transition times between sessions and ensures equal visibility for all participating entities.
The “Recinte Firal El Sucre” is a 3,600 m² building perfectly suited to the purpose. It is organized into three areas: Sponsors’ Exhibition Area, Auditorium, and Community Area
All-in-one solution
Accommodation
SPAOM2026 organizers propose participants to stay at the hotel MontanyÀ, an extraordinary venue in the heart of the Montseny Parc, 20km from vic, shuttles included, where the social event will be organized too
All rooms at Montanyà are pre-reserved for SPAOM attendants at a competitive price. BOOKING URGENT: the total capacity of the hotel is limited ! BOOK FAST (together with the registration)!
A free Shuttle from the hotel will take you to the conference Venue in Vic for the sessions start, and back every day.
Don’t miss the opportunity to stay at the heart of the action while resting in one of the most iconic resort of the region.
OrganiZation
Committees
Scientific Committee
- Isabel Peset, CNIO, Madrid
- Nadia Halidi, CRG, Barcelona
- Estibaliz Gómez de Mariscal, ITQB NOVA – NIMSB-NOVA, Oeiras
- Jana Nieder, INL, Braga
- Pablo Loza, ICFO, Barcelona
- Pedro J. Gómez Gálvez, IBIS, Sevilla
Local Organization Committee
- Maria Calvo, UB, Barcelona
- Mònica Roldán, IRSJD, Barcelona
- Julien Colombelli, IRB Barcelona
Sponsors Committee
- Lucia Sanchez, IIM-CSIC, Vigo
- Ana Oña, CNB-CSIC, Madrid
- Paloma Dominguez, CABIMER, Sevilla
- Maria Calvo, UB, Barcelona
- Monica Roldan, IRSJD, Barcelona
- Álvaro Sahún, CMBSO, Madrid
- Diego Megias, ISCIII, Madrid
- Isabel Peset, CNIO, Madrid
- Julien Colombelli, IRB Barcelona
- Luisa Cortes, UCoimbra, Coimbra
- Andreia Castro, ICVS, Braga
Workshops Committee
- Julien Colombelli, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona
- Mònica Roldán, IRSJD, Barcelona
- Diego Megias, ISCIII, Madrid
- Telmo Pereira, UNOVA Lisbon
- Gaby Martins, GIMM, Oeiras
- Edwin Hernández-Garzón, CI2A/CINC, Madrid
Partners
Institutions
Organizing Institutions
Collaborating Institutions
