Microscopy has been instrumental to our understanding of gene functions at different system-levels. Recent convergence of technological advances in automated microscopy, image analysis and genome editing, such as CRISPR, open new avenues for studying how gene perturbations at the molecular level contribute to cellular processes and tissue phenotypes. Tremendous progress has been made towards systematic mapping of gene functions; from genome-wide CRISPR screens, target-annotated small molecule and functional protein screens at the cell and organism level utilizing automated data analysis. This session invites speakers who developed innovative image-based screening approaches for profiling gene and protein function. They will discuss how these approaches can be used to discover new therapeutic targets and disease genes as well as challenges and opportunities ahead.