Scientists unveil state-of-the-art microscopic technologies

By Dean Murray

A pioneering team at the University of Cambridge has showcased today, June 25, work that is revolutionizing biological research with state-of-the-art microscope technologies.

The team's efforts are helping to unlock breakthroughs in topics ranging from cancer to coral reefs.

Dr. Lisa-Maria Needham leads the Microscopy Bioscience Platform, a hub uniting advanced imaging facilities across seven departments.

The platform supports researchers with powerful electron and light microscopes, custom-built tools like 'optical tweezers'—which use focused light to manipulate cells—and a dedicated arm for developing new technologies.

Recent breakthroughs include using live 3D time-lapse microscopy to reveal how animal embryos develop, deploying nanorobots to investigate how cells sense their environment and become cancerous, and studying coral-algae relationships to predict coral bleaching.

Researchers are also uncovering how new fish species emerge through advanced imaging and genetics, and identifying how pancreatic cancer cells survive in harsh conditions to inform new treatments.

Dr. Needham said: "We’re developing microscopes that don’t exist anywhere in the world.

"I believe that advances in microscope technology go hand in hand with biological discovery.

"Scientists get to a certain point in their research where they know there’s something going on, but nothing exists to help them see it.

"That’s driving technological innovation."

Dr. Needham wants the platform to become a hub for collaboration, allowing researchers to connect with others across the University and beyond to advance their work.

Some of the technologies developed have already been transferred to commercial use, through spin-out companies and industrial collaboration.