Redefining immunology through advanced microscopy

Recent advances in the field of microscopy are transforming immunology by enabling the visualisation of immune processes with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. From nanoscale receptor organisation and immune synapse formation to real-time immune cell migration within tissues, advanced imaging technologies are reshaping our understanding of immunity in health and disease. At the same time, innovations in quantitative image analysis, correlative imaging, multiplexed labelling, and applications of artificial intelligence are expanding the power of microscopy to address increasingly complex immunological questions.This Research Topic aims to bring together high-quality original research articles, reviews, commentaries, and short communications at the intersection of immunology and advanced microscopy techniques. We are particularly interested in contributions that provide substantive mechanistic insight, clear methodological innovation, conceptual advances, or translational relevance. Submissions should go beyond descriptive imaging and demonstrate how advanced microscopy can drive discovery in immunology, reveal previously inaccessible biology, or establish robust new tools for the field. The Topic will serve as a platform for outstanding work spanning basic, translational, and technological research. We welcome studies employing state-of-the-art imaging modalities, including but not limited to super-resolution microscopy, intravital microscopy, multiphoton imaging, light-sheet microscopy, confocal imaging, electron microscopy, correlative light and electron microscopy, spatial imaging, and AI-enabled image analysis to investigate immune cell behaviour, tissue architecture, molecular dynamics, and host responses. Bringing together immunologists, imaging specialists, computational scientists, and clinicians, this collection will highlight how modern microscopy is not merely visualising immune function but also redefining each question that immunology can pose. A central objective of this Research Topic is to attract papers of exceptional scientific rigour and broad interest. We therefore encourage submissions that are technically sound, quantitatively robust, and biologically meaningful, as well as reviews that offer critical, forward-looking perspectives rather than simple summaries of the literature. We anticipate that this Topic will provide a timely and influential overview of how advanced microscopy is driving the next generation of discoveries in immunology. We especially encourage submissions that are likely to be of broad interest across disciplines and that demonstrate how advanced microscopy can meaningfully expand the frontiers of immunology.Submissions include, but are not limited to, the following topics:•Super-resolution microscopy in immune receptor organisation, signalling, and immune synapse biology•Live-cell imaging of immune cell activation, migration, and cell-cell communication•Intravital and multiphoton microscopy of immune responses in vivo•Light-sheet and three-dimensional imaging of immune cells in tissues and organs•Confocal and fluorescence microscopy in cellular and molecular immunology•Electron microscopy and correlative imaging for immune ultrastructure•Imaging of lymphoid organs and tissue-resident immune populations•Spatial imaging of the tumour immune microenvironment•Advanced microscopy of host-pathogen interactions•Imaging applications in mucosal immunology, neuroimmunology, and barrier tissues•Quantitative imaging, computational microscopy, and AI-driven image analysis in immunology•High-content, multiplexed, or label-free imaging strategies•Imaging-guided translational immunology, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic evaluation•Novel microscopy methods or imaging workflows developed or adapted for immune research Michael L. Dustin is a consultant for Granza Bio, Synolo Tx, Labgenius, Aventera, Stereo Bio. He also received research funding from Regeneron and Evolvimmune. All the other topic editors declare no conflicts of interest Topic editors: Davide Randazzo, Tasha Morrison, Michael Loran Dustin Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80866/redefining-immunology-through-advanced-microscopy