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Challenges of microscopy technology dissemination to resource-constrained communities

Discussions at a recent conference on microscopy technology dissemination spotlighted the importance of setting technology adoption capable of producing scientific outcome as the end goal. This Comment examines current global efforts in microscopy dissemination and summarizes the challenges and paths forward.

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Fig. 1: Technology uptake is a stepwise process that includes dissemination and adoption, leading to scientific output.

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Acknowledgements

We thank V. Cao and V. Ghukasyan (Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative), L. Martino (Wellcome Trust) and A. Rennegarbe (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) for their critical reading of and invaluable input to this manuscript. The global imaging community would also like to extend our utmost gratitude for these institutions’ generous support of microscopy outreach and capacity-building efforts.

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J.S.A and T.-L.C. conceived, wrote and revised the manuscript. C.A.J., L.M., A.K., P.F., D.A.F., D.W., C.A.B., G.D.W., S.O. and M.M. wrote and revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Teng-Leong Chew.

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The authors declare no competing interest.

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Nature Methods thanks John Eriksson, Jeremy Woodward and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Aaron, J.S., Jacobs, C.A., Malacrida, L. et al. Challenges of microscopy technology dissemination to resource-constrained communities. Nat Methods (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-025-02690-7

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