Participants and organisers from the 2025 Strathclyde Optical Microscopy Course (SOMC) stood together on steps in a modern building

The School of Infection & Immunity's Dr Liam Rooney recently co-organised the UK’s largest and most comprehensive light microscopy training programme, bringing together experts and students from around the world for an advanced upskilling course.

Run between Wednesday, 23 July and Friday, 1 August 2025, the Strathclyde Optical Microscopy Course (SOMC) concluded after an intensive 10 days of lectures and practical workshops.

Twenty-four students from across the globe gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge optical imaging techniques, supported by 19 internationally recognised lecturers and 19 industry sponsors. This included several experts from the University of Glasgow, such as Dr Leandro Lemgruber Soares and Dr Caroline Müllenbroich.

The course combined core training with rotational workshops on state-of-the-art equipment, complemented by poster and image competitions, and a marine specimen field trip to the Isle of Cumbrae.

Sii Bacteriology Research Fellow Dr Rooney said: “After 10 days packed with hands-on microscopy training, the students left with a robust understanding of basic principles all the way up to the intricacies of advanced systems. 

"Despite all of the logistics of coordinating so many vendors, a field trip, 19 lectures, and 16 advanced practical sessions, it all seemed to go really well - and the students survived rock hopping and sample collecting in Millport! 

"Although the course is titled the 'Strathclyde' optical microscopy course, it's a truly global course with students competitively selected from as far as Australia and the USA, and internationally renowned lecturers, including a few from the University of Glasgow).

"We'll hopefully be making announcements soon about SOMC '26."

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First published: 27 August 2025

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