May, 2025- A new Comment published in Nature Methods, titled “Challenges of microscopy technology dissemination to resource-constrained communities”, brings timely and critical attention to the global disparities in access to microscopy technologies—tools essential to modern biological research and discovery. Authored by an international team of leading imaging scientists, the piece is a compelling call to dismantle the barriers that prevent the widespread adoption of these tools in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The article draws on outcomes from the Microscopy Technology Dissemination to Underserved Communities conference, held in May 2024 at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus. It underscores that successful dissemination goes far beyond the distribution of hardware: it requires sustained coordination, education, infrastructure, and policy reform.

“With the attention of international funders pivoting toward open-access microscopy research infrastructure and local expertise enhancement, microscopy dissemination is a prominent topic in the global scientific dialog,” the authors note. However, “Sharing is not synonymous with dissemination. Technology development is only as successful as its ability to address unmet needs.”

The comment explores global initiatives—open-access platforms, regional imaging networks, and community-driven resource sharing—that are actively working to address these challenges. Yet it emphasizes that, without stronger local investment, targeted education focused on practical applications of different imaging technologies, and the reduction of bureaucratic barriers (such as restrictive VISA processes, sample transport hurdles, and import taxes), these technologies will remain out of reach for many.

Two major strategies are identified:

• Local empowerment: Promote low-cost, yet research-grade microscopy tools validated for rigorous scientific use—dispelling the myth that meaningful imaging is always expensive.
• Global accessibility: Remove barriers to advanced imaging instruments and expertise through streamlined international policies and cooperation.

"Necessary ingredients" identified in the paper (modified from Figure 1):

The authors further advocate for locally relevant training programs, standards to assess equipment performance, and policy frameworks that reflect the international nature of scientific discovery.

“The global imaging community has done an exceptional job, not only in building the necessary groundwork, but also in setting an excellent example of how communities with disparate resources can unite in a purpose,” the authors note. “However, there is indeed a missing next step. The global imaging community has not yet set technology uptake to facilitate scientific output as the final goal.”

This thought-provoking article serves as both a roadmap and a call to action—urging institutions, governments, and the global scientific community to reframe technology dissemination as a holistic, strategic effort. Its message is clear: for science to be truly global, access to its tools must be equitable, meaningful and sustainable.

Global BioImaging strongly supports the message of this article. Many of our partner networks across the world are actively working to reduce the very bottlenecks highlighted—advancing the dissemination and long-term adoption of microscopy technologies in all regions.

Read the full article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-025-02690-7