Birthe Reisse, Sales Manager South-East Germany & Austria, Gatan
From August 31 – September 4, 2025, Karlsruhe transformed into the vibrant epicenter of European microscopy. The Microscopy Conference (MC) 2025, organized as part of the renowned “Three Countries Conference” by the microscopy societies of Austria (ASEM), Germany (DGE), and Switzerland (SSOM), welcomed over 1,000 international participants from science, technology, and industry. From early-career researchers to renowned experts, the event was a dynamic showcase of cutting-edge science and collaboration.
A promising start
The conference kicked off with a lively welcome evening at the Alter Schlachthof, one of Karlsruhe’s creative hubs. The atmosphere buzzed with curiosity and anticipation, setting the tone for an inspiring week ahead. Workshops at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)—celebrating its 200th anniversary this year—offered 179 participants immersive dive into the latest research methods and scientific advancements.
Figure 1. The MC 2025 welcome evening at the Alter Schlachtof.
A rich scientific program
MC 2025 featured an impressive lineup of 149 presentations, including seven plenary and keynote talks, 41 invited lectures, and 101 oral presentations selected from submitted abstracts. The program highlighted groundbreaking research across materials science (49%), instrumentation and methods (34%), and life sciences (17%), with a strong focus on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Industry engagement and innovation
As the newest member of the European sales team, I arrived at MC 2025 with a mix of excitement and nerves, eager to see how our stand booth would be received. Sharing the exhibition space with 53 other exhibitors and sponsors, we had countless opportunities to connect with business partners and explore the latest industry developments.
Our team—spanning sales, product management, applications, and our new sales administrator, Mark Ruppenthal (the heart and soul our booth)— was well-prepared to engage with visitors and answer technical questions.
A key highlight was our joint presentation of the Gatan and EDAX portfolio for electron microscopy. This powerful combination enables comprehensive material characterization—from chemical composition and crystal structure to high-resolution imaging.
Figure 2. Dr. Saleh Gorji gives a presentation on DigitalMicrograph 4D STEM workflows for orientation mapping.
Figure 3. Julia Mausz discusses Spectrum synergy: The complementary powers of EDS and WDS with customers at MC.
Figure 4. Dr. René de Kloe interacts with customers during his learning session entitled OIM Matrix in action: From routine analysis to the frontier of research.
Our booth, designed with interactive presentation areas and welcoming lounge corners, fostered meaningful conversation and hosted popular learning sessions led by our expert application specialists.
Poster sessions and scientific exchange
The conference featured 357 accepted posters, creating a relaxed yet intellectually stimulating environment for scientific dialogue. Our colleagues from Gatan and EDAX contributed nine posters, sparking engaging discussions with customers and emerging scientists alike.
Figure 5. Dr. Michaela Schleifer, Birthe Reisse, and Ray Chaudhury enjoying the posters sessions at MC.
Looking ahead
MC 2025 was more than a conference—it was a showcase for the future of microscopy. With a strong focus on AI integration, automated laboratories, in-situ techniques, and multimodal analytics, the event underscored microscopy ‘s pivotal role in advancing materials science, life sciences, and energy research.
Save the date: The next Microscopy Conference will take place in Dresden in 2027.
But first: We look forward to seeing you at the International Microscopy Congress (IMC) in Liverpool in 2026!