The BioImaging Network of Minas Gerais (BioIMG Net) is a collaborative effort supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) Program – Expanding Global Access to Bioimaging – that has been explicitly designed to initially strengthen collaboration between multi-user microscopy facilities within the state of Minas Gerais and then expand this effort to other regions of Brazil and Latin America.

BioIMG Net is hosted by the Federal University of Minas Gerais, one of the largest universities in Brazil and ranked among the top ten universities in Latin America. Two core centers at this university, plus six distinct institutions in Minas Gerais participate in the Network: Federal University of Ouro Preto, Federal University of Viçosa, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Ezequiel Dias Foundation and Institute Oswaldo Cruz-BH Foundation. This consortium includes several scientists who can aid in the dissemination of scientific knowledge by bringing the university and research institutes closer to society using two strategies: scientific dissemination and interaction with high schools, which in Brazil lack the infrastructure for the teaching of science.

BioIMG Net is a branch of the Microscopy and Microanalysis Network of Minas Gerais (RMic – www.microscopiamg.org.br), which focuses on both bioimaging and materials imaging and analysis. RMic’s goals over the past seven years have been to bring the microscopy community together to share information and expertise and improve access to microscopy (optical, electron and scanning probe microscopy). RMic was founded in 2014, with funding from the Foundation for Research Support of the State of Minas Gerais, a state agency for inducing and fostering research and scientific and technological innovation in the State of Minas Gerais (MG). Since the beginning of its activities, RMic had a management and administrative organization plan, which allowed for an effective and successful identification of demands for microscopy and microanalysis in MG and in proposing strategies to reduce the asymmetry of accessibility to equipment and technologies.

Red dots show the localization of BioIMG Net members

Center of Microscopy, UFMG: http://www.microscopia.ufmg.br/

Center of Acquisition and Processing of Images https://www2.icb.ufmg.br/capi/

Faculdade de Medicina, UFMG: https://www.medicina.ufmg.br/

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto: https://www.ufop.br/

Universidade Federal de Viçosa: https://www.ufv.br/

Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora: https://www2.ufjf.br/ufjf/

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri: http://portal.ufvjm.edu.br/

Fundação Ezequiel Dias: www.funed.mg.gov.br/

Instituto Rene Rachou, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Minas: http://www.cpqrr.fiocruz.br/pg/