London Press Service Informs
WORLD-LEADING BIO-IMAGING CENTRE
BOOSTS VIRUS RESEARCH
Understanding of how viruses invade cells, how drugs work at the molecular level and how nanoparticles affect our bodies is being improved by a new world-leading research facility at the University of Ulster’s Coleraine campus – underlining once again the capability of the UK science base to provide a valuable resource for international industrial and commercial partners.
The FEI Centre for Advanced Imaging bristles with pioneering microscope technology available nowhere else in the world. That is why leading global companies including Unilever Research are already beating a path to the campus to benefit from the uniquely powerful analytical and technological expertise that has been assembled at the facility.
At the heart of the 1.3 million-pounds centre’s research capabilities are two specially constructed instruments: the world’s first cryo-dualbeam microscope that combines a focused ion beam microscope with a scanning electron microscope, and a unique atomic force/confocal microscope hybrid.
The FEI Centre’s director, Dr. George McKerr, said: “This is the full realisation of four years’ work. I am delighted to have the support of FEI who are an imaginative company as well as being world leaders in this instrumentation. Four years ago I brought FEI an idea and they very quickly turned that into a prototype.
“This idea for an ultra-low temperature microscope – essentially a small-scale workshop where cells, virus particles and large molecules can be machined and manipulated – has attracted a lot of interest. We are now very well equipped, thanks to the UK Science Research Infrastructure Fund and funded by an FEI development grant to help develop nanobiology both within the province of Ulster and in collaboration with industrial partners overseas.
Close up on viruses: the world’s first cryo-dualbeam nanolab microscope being used by Dr. George McKerr at the new FEI Centre for Advanced Imaging at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.
“The centre at Coleraine will become a reference lab for this type of work throughout Europe and we intend to do something rather special to help local industry and start-up companies,” added Dr. McKerr.
The microscopes installed at the FEI Centre are so powerful that they enable researchers not only to see single atoms but even to create 3D images of them in action. Using these tools, scientists can analyse and manipulate particles at atomic and intra-nuclear levels, and their movements and effects can be recorded in 3D and real time.
Professor Vyvyan Howard, head of the university’s Bioimaging Research Group, pointed out that the pioneering technology of the FEI Centre would enable the University of Ulster to become a global leader in ensuring the safety of the next generation of nanotechnology products.
He said: “We intend to be recognised as one of the world centres of excellence for investigating nanoparticle toxicology and we think there will be a lot more work to do in the coming years because every single product which is brought out containing free nanoparticles will have to undergo a toxicological safety assessment.”
The FEI Centre has five highly qualified research scientists working full time. The microscope technology it incorporates has been developed in association with the FEI company, the US-based supplier of electron microscopy tools for nanoscale research, development and commercialisation.
Professor Stephen Downes, director of the Biomedical Research Institute, said: “We are very pleased to have FEI as our microscopy partner for the university’s new Centre for Advanced Imaging. The advanced performance of these systems and their flexibility will truly enable the centre to meet the demanding challenges faced by users and serve the multidisciplinary focus of the centre and our partners in the region.
Rob Fastenau, senior vice-president of FEI’s NanoResearch and Industry added: “The University of Ulster should prove to be an important force in accelerating breakthroughs in nanoscience – the development of new nano-enabled technologies. We look forward to working with the centre for many years to come.”
The university has recently appointed its first Director of Innovation to support the commercialisation of its knowledge and technology. He is Tim Brundle who said his office would help university staff to explore the commercial potential of their research.
By David Welsh |