“What the heck is…”
– No Question Too Small, No Topic Too Complex!
✎ Register for updates on the series & to receive the meeting links here
++ Find the detailed information on the first event …ome.zarr/NGFF below++
Join us for the first meeting of our new GerBI Chat Series: “What the heck is…” – a relaxed, interactive, and judgement-free space where we break down the latest data management developments, technologies, and trends in bioimaging. Whether you’re a core facility manager, product manager, researcher, or industry professional, this is your chance to ask, learn, and share without hesitation.
We know the developer world can feel intimidating and hard to understand if you’re not a coder. That’s exactly why we created this series – to translate the technical jargon into language that makes sense for everyone.
Why attend?
✔ Learn through live conversation – Watch as an expert breaks down complex topics in real-time dialogue with a newcomer. It’s like learning from a mentor and a curious colleague at the same time – someone who might ask the same questions you have.
✔ You control the conversation – Submit your questions anonymously (no judgment, no visibility) or jump in openly. Your questions shape what we discuss. If you’re wondering about something, others probably are, too.
✔ Get practical insights – Hear directly from developers about real challenges they solve, plus user stories from core facility managers and industry professionals dealing with the same problems you face.
✔ Translation included – Our experts will explain not just what these technologies do, but why they matter for your work and how you can use them – without needing a computer science degree.
✔ Network with peers – Connect with others across academia, industry and developers who are navigating the same technical landscape.
Session 1 “What the heck is… Ome.zarr / NGFF?”
Date: 03. September 2026 | 13:00-14:30 | Zoom (to receive the meeting link please register here)
Next-Generation File Formats (NGFF) and ome.zarr are revolutionizing how we handle bioimaging data – but what do they really mean for you? And do you (really need to understand all the technical details? Whether you’re struggling with large datasets, looking for better ways to share data, or just curious about what’s going on, this session is for you.
Whether you’re:
- Drowning in massive datasets and looking for solutions
- Trying to collaborate and share data more efficiently
- Managing a core facility and need to future-proof your infrastructure
- Working in industry and want to understand emerging standards
…this session is designed for you. No coding background required.
Speakers:
As Expert Johannes Soltwedel (Software Developer at German BioImaging e.V.)
Johannes joined the GerBI RSE unit as research software engineer in August 2025. The focus of his effort is to guide and shepherd the developer community to maintain a continuing evolution of the ngff image standard. This also includes the contribution to several tools across the bio-image landscape to ensure the wide-spread adoption of the standard. At the same time, he collaborates with microscopists in the GerBI community and beyond to gather the feedback of users and ensure that the developed tools and features meet the needs of researchers working with microscopy data and beyond.
Moderator and newcomer counterpart Lisa Schaefer (Project and Community Coordinater at German BioImaging e.V.)
Lisa joined as Project and community coordinator in October 2025 the GerBI-Office unit, beyond her daily responsibilities at the GerBI CORE unit, she is primarily engaged with the communication channels of GerBI and aims to keep the community connected and up-to-date about everything that is going on inside and around GerBI. As a trained Psychologist, multi-interested person and communicator, she will moderate the session and makes sure all questions find their place in the discussion.
Mark your calendar and join us for a meeting of insightful discussions, practical tips, and community building. Check our events page for more details and future sessions.
We can’t wait to see you there – let’s learn together!
What’s Next?
Our next session will tackle: “What the heck is…Image.sc?” – A deep dive into one of the most popular platforms for bioimage analysis. Stay tuned!
✎ Register for updates on the series & to receive the meeting links here
