A new microscope, nicknamed "Curie", is being used by researchers at the Rosalind Franklin Institute in Oxfordshire to better understand inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This technology operates at 10 times the resolution of conventional light microscopy, allowing for detailed observation down to 20nm.
Dr Karina Pombo-Garcia, a group leader at the institute, stated that the microscope can help to understand the mechanism of IBD more effectively. This deeper understanding could lead to more targeted and effective treatments for the condition.
Dimitrios Ioannidis, a PhD student, is using the microscope to study how cells lining internal organs form protective barriers. By comparing healthy tissue with diseased tissue, researchers hope to identify the root causes of conditions like IBD.
The microscope's unveiling coincided with an announcement of £67m in funding for the Rosalind Franklin Institute over the next five years, starting from April 2027. This funding comes from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council via the UK Research and Innovation core budget.