EBRAINS welcomes the European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy as new associate member

The membership will give LENS the opportunity to co-design future iterations of EBRAINS’ cutting-edge tools and services, as well as strengthening the collaboration across Europe in the field of brain science and health.

The European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS) is an interdisciplinary research centre situated in Sesto Fiorentino, nearby Florence, Italy. In addition to providing state of the art laser and spectroscopic facilities to researchers from European countries, LENS fosters the exchange of ideas, scientific techniques, and technical skills among academics of all backgrounds. 

Founded in 1991 through the initiative of several European universities, coordinated by the University of Florence, LENS is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach and its among the top level research centres in Italy in the field of physics and chemistry, with over 100 staff members. Its principal research lines are Biophotonics, Photonic Materials and Quantum Science & Technology -  these fields are all tied by its underlying methodology: the use of laser light to investigate both living and non-living matter.

Part of the EBRAINS Local Service Providers, LENS offers Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM) of cleared brain samples, and possesses Fluorescence Microscopy setups, Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy setups and a Spinning Disk Confocal.

“We are delighted to join EBRAINS as an associate member. This step allows LENS to extend its interdisciplinary approach—bridging biophysics, photonics, and techology—into a broader European framework” says Francesco Pavone, head of the Biophotonics area at LENS. “By connecting our expertise in advanced imaging and light-based technologies with EBRAINS’ digital research infrastructure, we look forward to fostering new collaborations that deepen our understanding of the brain”.

“Becoming part of the EBRAINS ecosystem represents a significant opportunity for LENS to contribute cutting-edge optical methods and data-driven approaches to the study of the brain, creating new pathways for innovation and brain health” adds Giovanni Modugno, director of LENS. 

“We are delighted to welcome LENS as an associate member at EBRAINS” says Philippe Vernier, Joint-CEO of EBRAINS. “The laboratory brings with it substantial experience in interdisciplinary research, particularly in imaging and analysis.”

LENS is also a member of the EBRAINS Italian National Node, which is centred on the multimodal, multiscale, and multi-model analysis of the spatiotemporal organization of the brain, and coordinated by the National Research Council.