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As part of its leading role in supporting and developing scientific research, the International Conference of the Egyptian Society of Electron Microscopy was held under the theme “The Role of Electron Microscopy in Enlightening the Invisible.” 

The event was organized by the Egyptian Society of Electron Microscopy in collaboration with Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Tanta University, and Assiut University.
This year, TBRI hosted the conference under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director and Chairman of the Board of TBRI; Prof. Dr. Mohamed Hussein, President of Tanta University; and Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Menshawy, President of Assiut University. 

The opening session featured welcoming speeches from Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz and Prof. Dr. Mohamed Hussein, who both expressed their delight at hosting this prestigious scientific event at TBRI. They emphasized that the ongoing collaboration between the institutions reflects the depth of productive academic and research relations developed over the years, fostering experience exchange and the enhancement of research capacities across multiple fields. They also expressed their hope for the continuation of this fruitful partnership to achieve further progress and innovation in scientific research and advanced applications. 

The conference was chaired by Prof. Dr. Soheir Mansy, President of the Egyptian Society of Electron Microscopy and former Head of the Electron Microscopy Department and Clinical Laboratory Research  Division at TBRI.
In her speech, Prof. Mansy highlighted that the continuity of the conference for the third consecutive time in cooperation with the society demonstrates the strength and sustainability of this productive scientific partnership. She emphasized that its outcomes will be clearly reflected in empowering young researchers and equipping them with the skills necessary to keep pace with future scientific advancements.
The conference’s General Secretary was Prof. Dr. Naglaa Ibrahim Sarhan, Head of the Histology and Cell Biology Department at Tanta University’s Faculty of Medicine. The event was also attended by Prof. Dr. Nagwa Abu Al-Maali, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science for Graduate Studies and Research at Assiut University; Prof. Dr. Yasser Shabana, former Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture for Graduate Studies and Research at Mansoura University; and Prof. Dr. Hoda Yehia, Professor of Pathology and former Head of the Electron Microscopy Department at TBRI, representing the Society’s Board of Directors. 

Over three consecutive days, the conference presented an intensive scientific program comprising ten main sessions covering multiple aspects of electron microscopy and its modern applications in medical, biological, and engineering sciences.
The program included more than 25 specialized lectures delivered by distinguished experts and researchers from Egypt and abroad. It stood out for its diversity and scientific depth, focusing on the latest trends in imaging and electron analysis technologies — from applications of electron microscopy in various medical and scientific disciplines, to its vital role in studying viruses and bacteria, and its significant contribution to combating epidemics, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discussions also covered current research on tuberculosis, the use of immunoelectron labeling techniques in identifying cellular components, and a practical session on applying nanotechnology in water purification. The final sessions explored advanced medical applications of electron microscopy for revealing cellular and molecular structures and integrating these techniques with other advanced analytical tools, highlighting its pivotal role as a leading research instrument that drives both fundamental and applied sciences, and fosters discoveries in diagnosis and therapy. 

The conference brought together an outstanding group of professors, scientists, and researchers from Egypt and abroad who delivered rich lectures on the latest developments in electron microscopy and its research applications.
It featured prominent international participation from Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, which added a global dimension to the event and reinforced its reputation as a leading scientific platform that combines expertise and diversity.
The Egyptian delegation included prominent scientists from several universities and research centers such as Tanta University, the German University in Alexandria, Beni Suef University, Assiut University, TBRI, the National Research Centre, the Medical Research Institute at Alexandria University, and the Petroleum Research Institute — reaffirming the conference’s pioneering role in advancing scientific and technological research and enhancing academic integration among research institutions. 

This year’s edition was marked by broad local and international participation, including researchers from several Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan, in addition to active contributions from researchers representing various Egyptian universities including Marsa Matrouh, Alexandria, Sinai, Tanta, Sohag, Benha, Galala, Menoufia, Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, Arish, South Valley, Suez Canal, Mansoura, and Cairo Universities.
Among the distinguished international speakers were Dr. Kersten Dimitri from Charité University in Germany, Prof.David Hall from Duke University (USA), and Prof. Lilian Jaber from Weill Cornell University (USA), along with a group of outstanding Egyptian researchers whose presentations and discussions enriched the conference’s scientific content and highlighted its high academic value. 

In his address, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director of TBRI, emphasized that hosting this international scientific event aligns with the institute’s strategic vision to strengthen collaborative research and exchange expertise among scientists from Egypt and around the world. He reaffirmed TBRI’s leading role as one of the region’s foremost research centers in medical and applied sciences, serving as a scientific bridge between research generations and a platform for interaction among experts and innovators in electron microscopy and its modern applications.
He also noted that the electron microscope is no longer merely an imaging tool, but a comprehensive scientific methodology that enables a deeper understanding of cellular and molecular structures, accelerating modern medical discoveries and advancing early diagnostic tools and innovative therapies. 

The conference concluded after three days of fruitful scientific sessions by issuing a set of recommendations focused on ensuring a sustainable future for electron microscopy in Egypt and strengthening its role in supporting scientific research and technological development. The participants proposed three main pillars to achieve this goal which are establishing four national centers of excellence in electron microscopy, with TBRI as one of them, to unify research efforts and promote experience exchange among scientific institutions. Also, developing stable infrastructure and efficient funding systems to ensure the sustainability of operations, including the creation of a dedicated maintenance and operation fund supported by allocating a percentage of taxes and revenues from local agents of electron microscopy devices and supplies. In addition to enhancing human capacities through continuous training, with a special focus on qualifying and upgrading the skills of technicians and engineers to keep pace with global advancements in this vital field.