New Microscope set to Advance Understanding of Bio-molecules
A new design for a cheaper, more flexible microscope that will give microbiologists a greater insight into how single bio-molecules such as nucleic acids and proteins behave has been developed by scientists using the UK’s Central Laser Facility (CLF).
Called the smfBox, the microscope allows scientists to look at one molecule at a time rather than generating an average result from bulk samples. Reported to work as well as commercially available instruments, but at a fraction of the cost, the prospect of more readily available equipment will offer more opportunities for improved drug discovery for diseases such as cancer, HIV-AIDS and COVID-19.