Biotechnology is built on the power of biological systems that operate at scales invisible to the naked eye. Whether working with cells, viruses, proteins, enzymes, or complex molecular assemblies, biotechnologists often face the same challenge as an engineer designing a machine or a watchmaker assembling a precision mechanism: understanding how the individual components are organized and how they function together. To achieve this, it is necessary not only to measure and manipulate biological systems but also to observe them in action at the point of critical interaction. This is why cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) has become a fundamental technology in modern biotechnology, allowing researchers to visualize biological structures at near-atomic resolution and uncover mechanisms that drive processes relevant to health, industry, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
The II Latin-American School on Cryo-Electron Microscopy: Structural Imaging for Microbial Biotechnology in Health and the Environment, held in Tucumán, Argentina, provided an exceptional opportunity for researchers from across Latin America to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in this still rapidly evolving area of the life sciences. It brought together 31 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, Mexico, and Ecuador, reflecting the growing regional interest in advanced bioimaging technologies and their applications in biotechnology.
A notable strength of the course was its comprehensive approach, combining lectures, laboratory activities, image-processing workshops, networking opportunities, and discussions on scientific careers and regional infrastructure. Participants were introduced to the full Cryo-EM workflow, from sample preparation and vitrification to image acquisition, reconstruction, and structural interpretation. Importantly, the course highlighted how microscopy continues to evolve as a discipline. The incorporation of machine learning and artificial intelligence into image processing demonstrated how computational advances are expanding the amount of information that can be extracted from each image, accelerating analyses that only a few years ago required substantially greater human effort and computational resources. The course successfully illustrated the central role that structural biology now plays in innovation and scientific discovery.
On behalf of UNU-BIOLAC, we warmly congratulate Dr. Virginia Helena Albarracín for the successful organization of this outstanding academic activity and its contribution to the development of advanced scientific capabilities in the region. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Centro Integral de Microscopía Electrónica (CIME), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), and CONICET, whose support and hosting of the School provided the ideal environment for the training activity.
Through initiatives such as this School, Latin America continues to seek ways to access the tools and knowledge needed to address pressing challenges in biotechnology, health, and environmental sustainability.
