The Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy BioImaging Center (ALEMBIC) results from the common effort of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute and the San Raffaele University (UniSR). It is envisioned as an environment in which biological experimentation requiring electronic or optical imaging will be expedited through the ready access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. Modern biological imaging technology has become sufficiently sophisticated as to require specialized expertise and technology that is often beyond the reach of individual investigators. Nonetheless a broad range of biological investigators will derive significant benefit from access to such avant-garde technology, particularly as we begin the post-genomic era of biomedical research.