Virtual Imaging at UniBE

The Microscopy Imaging Center (MIC) and the Data Science Lab (DSL) have pooled their respective expertise in microscopy, data analysis, science IT, and software to establish a joint interactive platform for bioimage analysis at the University of Bern, called Virtual Imaging at University of Bern (VIBE).

VIBE's mission is to enable researchers at the University of Bern to easily extract quantitative information from microscopy data by removing three typical challenges: (1) finding, installing and maintaining complex bioimage analysis software, (2) running these tools on suitable hardware (GPUs, large memory), and (3) processing increasingly large and complex imaging datasets. The VIBE platform aims to solve these challenges by providing researchers with a "batteries included" virtual desktop environment featuring pre-installed, interactive bioimage analysis software that leverage High-Performance Computing resources and a large data storage infrastructure. The bioimage experts from the VIBE team offer support to researchers who want to exploit this new resource by helping them setting up workflows, optimizing data transfer etc.

The centralized VIBE platform also creates multiple synergies: users benefit from the exchange of ideas between bioimage analysts who are scattered across the campus; laboratories can reduce their need for costly and difficult-to-maintain local solutions; resources are used optimally, reducing overall energy consumption. Finally, the platform will be a fantastic tool for organizing courses.

You can find more information on the project here and user documentation for the platform here.