REcommended Metadata for Biological Imaging (REMBI): Essentials in bioimaging metadata
REcommended Metadata for Biological Imaging (REMBI): Essentials in bioimaging metadata
13 October 2026, 9h00 - 17h00
General context
Research Data Management is a huge challenge for the whole scientific community. Biological imaging data is notoriously diverse and complex. Meeting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) imaging data principles is often a burden for biologists, given the broad scope of preservation, sharing, and metadata organization.
Fortunately, public repositories like BioImage Archive support scientists in addressing these challenges by providing a secure place for their imaging data following a metadata schema - REcommended Metadata for Biological Imaging (REMBI).
This workshop aims to explore the REMBI schema together by working directly with participants' data examples. Whether you manage yours or someone else's bioimaging data, or have just started a project with a prospect of acquiring bioimaging data, this workshop is for you.
- Describe the purpose, structure, and key principles of REMBI.
- Classify metadata elements from a biological imaging dataset into the appropriate REMBI modules.
- Evaluate the applicability and limitations of the REMBI framework for diverse bioimaging use cases and propose solutions for metadata challenges.
- Prepare and submit a biological imaging dataset with the required metadata for deposition in the BioImage Archive.
- Apply REMBI recommendations to increase the FAIR principles of a biological imaging dataset.
You are welcome to bring your own dataset to work with during the workshop.
Make your ot your collaborators' bioimaging data FAIR; bring a laptop. Using an interactive, gamified approach, we will understand and apply REMBI standards to the imaging data.
No prior preparation is required for attending this workshop.
Trainers
Alexandra Zakieva
Alexandra Zakieva is a postdoctoral research fellow at EMBL Heidelberg. After a PhD in plant developmental biology at Heidelberg University, she joined the Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists (ARISE) postdoctoral program to train in research data management. Focusing specifically on imaging data, she works in tight collaboration with EMBL imaging facilities, the Data Science Centre, BioImage Archive, and Open Microscopy Environment to implement FAIR data practices (Findable Accessible Interoperable Reusable). She founded and is leading a pilot imaging data management and stewardship service, STANDFLOW, for planetary biology projects.
Practical info
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.