infocus Magazine - Issue 72, December 2023

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

RMS on show at the Royal Society Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Advanced Image Analysis - book review and discussion Celebrating three years of the Portable SEM In Schools Programme Supported by Hitachi STEM Global Outreach

Plus...News, Calendar, Reviews, Reports 1

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

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contents features 4

RMS on show at the Royal Society John Hutchison

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Advanced Image Analysis book review and discussion Sreenivas Bhattiprolu,Viji Draviam, Binghao Chai

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Celebrating three years of the Portable SEM In Schools Programme Supported by Hitachi STEM Global Outreach Zoe Kathleen Barr

regulars 10 22 36 44 58 62

Calendar Journal of Microscopy New Member Welcome Office News Company News New Products

reports and other features 18 20 30 34 38 68 70 72

Dr Liam Rooney revealed as Scottish Microscopist of the Year!

IMC20 – Busan, South Korea 20 Questions with…Dr Debbie Wilkinson My first month at the RMS: Chief Executive Sali Davis IUPAC – CHAINS 2023,The Hague, Netherlands The RMS YouTube channel: Check out our latest content!

From the archives:The Proceedings of the RMS 1973 ‘The hidden world of microscopy’ – at the IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival

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MAGAZ I N E

infocus is the Magazine of the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) – the only truly international microscopical society. The RMS is dedicated to advancing science, developing careers and supporting wider understanding of science and microscopy. infocus Magazine 37/38 St Clements Oxford, OX4 1AJ, UK Tel. +44 (0)1865 254760 Email: infocus@rms.org.uk Website: www.infocus.org.uk Scientific Editor Leandro Lemgruber, University of Glasgow, UK Editor Owen Morton Tel + (0)1865 254763, Email: editor@infocus.org.uk Editorial Board Susan Cox, King’s College, London, UK Rebecca Higginson, Loughborough University, UK Laura Fumagalli, University of Manchester, UK Myfanwy Adams, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK Maadhav Kothari, Zeiss Microscopy, UK Hilary Sandig, Cancer Research, UK Trevor Almeida, University of Glasgow, UK Advertising Email: advertising@infocus.org.uk ISSN: 1750-4740 © 2023 Royal Microscopical Society infocus is published four times per year by the RMS. Designed and produced

by Creative Design. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from the RMS is forbidden. Views expressed in the Magazine are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the RMS.

RoyalMicroscopicalSociety @RoyalMicroSoc @RoyalMicroSoc

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC EDITOR Dear Readers, It is my great pleasure to write the introduction for our last infocus of 2023 - a year of challenges, changes, and great optimism for the future.Among the challenges was moving this magazine to a fully digital format (from our March issue), and – though I may be biased – I feel we have created a great platform for readers to access and interact with the pieces we publish. I would like to thank everyone at the RMS office who made this possible – and a special mention for Lucy Ridler and Owen Morton in the Publications team. There were also changes in leadership at the Society, with the arrival of our new Chief Executive, Sally Davis, following the departure of Allison Winton.You can read more about them all in our previous issue (September 2023) – and in this issue, a personal reflection from Sali, on her first month at the RMS. As for the optimism, well, that was in abundance as our community gathered together in person at mmc2023 in Manchester – after a four-year break. It was great to be part of this event, and to join friends and colleagues in furthering the science of microscopy, flow cytometry and imaging.

Rather like Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, in this issue we are met by the microscopists of the past, present and future.The RMS recently contributed to a pair of events at the Royal Society – the Summer Science Exhibition, which featured a display on historical microscopy, and in September, a celebration of the work of Dutch pioneer Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. Fortunately, our History Committee Chair John Hutchison was there to tell us more.

Fast-forward to the present, and Artificial Intelligence is becoming more and more of an important tool in image analysis.Viji Draviam and Binghao Chai discuss this in an insightful interview with Sreeni Bhattiprolu - the author of a recent book on the subject. Celebrating the microscopists of the future – as well as the important Outreach work of the Society - we have two pieces. Firstly, we hear from recent RMS intern Zoe Barr on the success of a fantastic scheme bringing a portable SEM to secondary schools. We also take a look at the recent IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival, where several young minds and enthusiasts stopped by to learn more about microscopy.

I hope you enjoy reading this festive issue – perhaps while treating yourself to some mulled wine and a mince pie! From everyone on the infocus team, we wish you and your families a Happy Holidays and all the very best for a fantastic 2024.

Slàinte!

Leandro Lemgruber Leandro Lemgruber

COVER IMAGE: ‘For the Love of Art’ This image by Anne Weston (Francis Crick Institute) was shortlisted in the Electron Microscopy Life Sciences category in our recent Imaging Competition. Skin tattooing has been practised for thousands of years.To make tattooing permanent, needles are used to punch through the top layer (epidermis) of the skin into the next layer (dermis).This image shows human skin cells, some damaged, from the epidermis surrounding a hole created by a tattoo needle. Magnification: x305 (Additional credit: Science Photo Library).

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RMS on show at the Royal Society Dr John Hutchison, Hon FRMS

A

s part of its 2023 summer science exhibition, the Royal Society installed a special display devoted to historical microscopy. The exhibit marked 100 years since one of our Fellows, Henry Taverner, presented his invention, the stereoscopic photomicrographic nosepiece, at a summer soiree. He

also showed stereoscopic images of a water mite. He had earlier read a paper describing this apparatus to the RMS in 1906, publishing it in the Journal of Microscopy (JRMS 1906 p260). where all eight instruments in our Science Heritage Collection (see my article from infocus issue 57, March 2020) were on display for the first time, arousing great interest. We also had a number of antique slides which people could examine with these microscopes and also state-of-the art instruments kindly provided for the Learning Zone by various manufacturers.

Our recently acquired antique slide collection contains a large number of “bug” slides (‘Bugs up Close’, infocus issue 69, March 2023), one of which actually contains a water mite, prepared by the London firm Clarke and Page in 1907.

We were able to record a micrograph of this bug (Figure 1) using an old microscope, and provide it to Figure 1. A photomicrograph of a water mite, captured by John Hutchison.The bug was mounted on a slide in 1907 by London firm Clarke and Page.

several other images obtained from old slides, and also one submitted to the 2023 RMS International

Taverner presented two of his devices to the

Scientific Imaging Competition. These formed the

RMS, where they safely remain in our Collection,

basis of the “Under a microscope” feature in the

currently held in Oxford University’s Science

exhibition, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

History Museum. We were approached by the

We are pleased to report that more than 10,000

Royal Society earlier this year with a view to our

members of the public visited the exhibition over

lending some of Taverner’s items for their historical

the summer, and enjoyed seeing micrographs from

microscopy display. This, however, was not feasible,

slides prepared over 120 years ago. A highlight

but our own replica microscopes in the McCormick

forming the backdrop of the display (page opposite)

Collection would have been ideal for this purpose.

is an image of a sheep tick, prepared by John Barnett

Unfortunately the dates for the Royal Society’s

in around 1870 – you may also recall this image in

summer science exhibition in London clashed

my earlier infocus report (Bugs up Close).

exactly with our own mmc2023 in Manchester,

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the Royal Society for its summer display, along with

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Figure 2.The ‘Under a Microscope’ display cabinet, containing objects and images provided for the Royal Society’s summer science exhibition in London.

Figure 3. Another view of the ‘Under a Microscope’ display at the Royal Society’s summer science exhibition.

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Figure 4.The display featured this eye-catching poster, containing information about the advances in microscopy which had been made by 1923 – the year in which RMS Fellow Henry Taverner presented his invention, the stereoscopic photomicrographic nosepiece, to the Royal Society at a summer soiree. It also featured photomicrographs of (clockwise from top left) the cell-wall structure of cotton hairs (William Lawrence Balls and H A Hancock, 1922); mahogany wood from a 1910 slide (John Hutchison); and succinic acid, submitted to the RMS Scientific Imaging Competition by Andrei Sawitski (2021).

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Figure 5.The RMS display at September’s Royal Society event to celebrate the work of Dutch microscopist Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, 300 years after his death.The display featured replica antique microscopes from the McCormick Collection and an original copy of Robert Hooke’s ‘Micrographia’.

This display remained in place until a second event

Mr Dunman. The collection also included an original

was organised by the Royal Society in September,

copy of Robert Hooke’s famous “Micrographia”,

this time to mark the 300th anniversary of the death

from the royal Society’s own Library.

of Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch microscopist whose simple, hand-held microscopes using glass beads as objective lenses produced astounding images (See Brian Ford’s article ‘Seeing what Leeuwenhoek saw’, infocus issue 68, December 2022). In support of this meeting we were, this time, able to provide four microscopes from our Science Heritage Collection to form an impressive display, along with an early 19th Century pocket microscope recently donated by one of our Fellows,

The organisers asked us if someone would attend and give a lecture on the development of the RMS from its early days in the mid-19th century. It was my privilege to present a talk with the title: “The Royal Microscopical Society – Where it came from and where it’s going”. It was good to point out that we are the world’s oldest microscopy society, and also a truly international one, with over 300 of our 1,350-strong membership from overseas.

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Associated with the Royal Society’s ‘Leeuwenhoek’

we preserve the rich heritage that has been created

conference was an evening event open to the

for future generations, and how events such as the

public – a discussion and Q&A session titled ‘From

celebration of van Leeuwenhoek’s work, helped to

Leeuwenhoek to the electron microscope’.

preserve that history.

It

was chaired by Dirk van Miert, director of the Huygens Institute for the History and Culture of the Netherlands, and featured absorbing talks from Katharine Cashman and Matthew Cobb, who each explored the development of microscopy and its

We would very much like to thank our colleagues at the Royal Society for inviting us to be part of these events, and hope to strengthen our links further with future collaborations.

applications in their respective areas of research.

The presentations were followed by a live Q&A, during which audience members – both in person and online - joined the conversation. I was delighted to be joined by our new RMS Chief Executive, Sali Davis, at both this event and the reception which followed (Figure 6).

Guests at the reception heard from Professor Sir Richard Catlow FRS, a former Foreign Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society and Laura van Voorst Vader, Education & Science Attaché, Dutch Embassy. Dr Sietske Fransen, Max Planck Research Group Leader from the Max Planck Institute for Art History, also spoke about the excellent relationship enjoyed by the UK and Dutch Microscopy sector. Dr Fransen spoke of how essential it was to ensure that

Figure 6. John Hutchison with RMS Chief Executive Sali Davis at the Royal Society's Leeuwenhoek event.

Contacting the Royal Microscopical Society The offices of the Royal Microscopical Society are at: 37/38 St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1AJ, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1865 254760 For general enquiries email info@rms.org.uk For information about meetings and courses email events@rms.org.uk For membership enquiries email membership@rms.org.uk

www.rms.org.uk

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

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Calendar We are very pleased to continue offering a range of ‘in-person’ and virtual events this year, in order to maximise accessibility and provide opportunities to those who might not otherwise be able to attend.

The following information was correct at the time of publication but could potentially be subject to change in the coming weeks. Please visit our event calendar at www.rms.org.uk for the latest updates.

If you have any questions about a booking you have already made for an event, or need any help or advice, please contact us at info@rms.org.uk

2023

June

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July

December 13

Interfacing Biophysics and Physical Science Microscopy London, UK (RMS-sponsored event) SEMT 2023 Meeting London, UK (RMS-sponsored meeting)

2024 January 4–5

UK Light Microscopy Facility Meeting 2024, Edinburgh, UK

8–9

Flow Facilities Meeting 2024 Birmingham, UK

February 8–9

EM-UKI 2024 (Electron Microscopy UK and Ireland),York, UK

March

25 – 28 AFM SPM 2024, Durham, UK

4–7

elmi2024, Liverpool, UK (RMS-hosted event)

8 – 9 Light Microscopy Summer School 2024 York, UK 10 – 11 Getting the most from your Confocal Course 2024,York, UK 15 – 19 Electron Microscopy Summer School 2024 Leeds, UK

September

2 – 6 Flow Cytometry Course 2024 York, UK

2025 March

26 – 28 flowcytometryUK 2025, Newcastle, UK

June / July

30 June mmc2025: Microscience Microscopy – 3 July Congress 2025, Manchester, UK

For further information on all these events, please visit our Event Calendar at www.rms.org.uk

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Featured RMS events SEMT (Society of Electron Microscope Technology) 2023 Meeting 13 December 2023, London, UK RMS Sponsored Meeting The SEMT was founded in 1970 as a forum for the exchange of ideas on techniques and applications in microscopy. It has expanded to become one of the foremost user groups in the country, addressing all aspects of microscopy from instrument design and specimen preparation to digital image acquisition.

The annual meeting features invited speakers and trade stands, facilitating contact, consultation and discussion between all our members - including instrument manufacturers and microscope users.

It also features the RMS beginners Competition specifically aimed at students, interns, apprentices elmi2024 4- 7 June 2024, Liverpool The European Light Microscopy Initiative was created in 2001 to establish a unique communication network between European scientists working in the field of light microscopy and the manufacturers of their equipment. Its aim is to promote the quickly developing field of light microscopy as a fundamental research tool for the life sciences and to strengthen the channels of communication between researchers, core facilities and industry.

EM-UKI 2024 (Electron Microscopy UK and Ireland) 8 – 9 February 2024,York, UK Committee Chair & 2024 Host: Clare SteeleKing, University of York The EM-UKI community meetings are an open forum for discussion of the latest developments and challenges in the field, suitable for both academic and commercial microscopists. The meeting will include Techno Bites, talks, and discussions, and also hosts the RMS annual EM lecture.

and faculty staff who may have given no more than two talks outside their home institution.

Talks on topics with a microscopy focus and using any form of microscopy are welcome.

The presentation slot is relatively short, encouraging an economical style and wellthought out talk and is a highlight of the meeting.

Participants are allocated a 10-minute slot, including time allocated for questions.

This is an in-person meeting which will be livestreamed for those wishing to attend virtually.

Due to all of the normal costs associated with running the one-day meeting, including room hire charges, speaker travel, and other affiliated costs, registration is the same whether attending in person or virtually. Details of how the meeting will be streamed will be sent to registrants on the 12th December.

The annual meeting, which has been running for two decades at various venues across Europe, has an excellent reputation within the microscopy community, making this meeting a key event in the calendar of hundreds of scientists and developers. The strength of this meeting lies in the mixture of scientific lectures on state-of-the-art, high-end microscopy combined with “hands-on” workshops and exhibition of the latest technology, organised by the leading companies in the field.

This year’s programme will include the following sessions: • RMS EM Lecture • Updates from the EM Community • Funding • Careers & Outreach • Interactive Methodology The programme will start with lunch at midday on Thursday and will close on Friday after lunch.

This will be an in person meeting and there will not be the opportunity to attend online. There will be a meeting dinner on the night of Thursday 8 February, this is included in your registration.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Advanced Image Analysis book review and discussion Bhattiprolu, S1, Chai, B2 and Draviam, VM2 Digital Solutions, Carl Zeiss X-ray Microscopy, Inc., USA

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School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, UK

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Abstract Sreenivas (Sreeni) Bhattiprolu is the Head of digital solutions at Zeiss, and author of the ebook “AI for Advanced Image Analysis”. In this discussion, Sreeni, Viji and Binghao are exploring trends, challenges and opportunities in AI guided microscopy data analysis from the viewpoint of industry, research and clinical needs.

Biographies: Sreenivas (Sreeni) Bhattiprolu, Head of digital solutions at Zeiss, a lifelong microscopist with a Ph.D. in Materials Sciences and extensive experience in applying microscopy in various fields, is also the author of the eBook titled ‘AI for Advanced Image Analysis’.

Viji Draviam, Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology, at the Queen Mary University of London exploits high-resolution live-cell microscopy and automated image analysis methods to understand how human cells maintain chromosome numbers.

Binghao Chai, postdoctoral computer vision scientist in the Draviam group with six years of expertise in developing DL tools and solutions for clinical pathology and frontiers cell biology.

Viji: Hello Sreeni, it’s a pleasure to talk about your

was to bridge the gap between the potential of

recent eBook “AI for Advanced Imaged Analysis”.

AI in microscopy and the apprehension that many

As you mentioned “AI is becoming an increasingly

valuable tool for addressing challenges in life sciences research and beyond. While some people in the field are already leveraging this technology, many others find it intimidating.”

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researchers have towards this technology. The eBook’s primary aim is to educate researchers from academia and industry about the profound benefits AI can bring to the field of microscopy.

In the eBook, we’ve focused on the fundamentals

What inspired you to bring out this eBook?

of both machine learning and deep learning, making

Sreeni: The inspiration behind creating this eBook

a deliberate effort to demystify these algorithms.

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

The goal is to provide researchers with a clear

Image (above): Excerpt from the ebook "AI for advanced image analysis" showing two different types of image segmentation using different Deep Learning methods.

understanding of how and why AI works, avoiding

through automated image analysis. Do you think the

the perception of it as a “black box.” For example,

microscopy field is going through a transformational

in the book, we explained the difference between

change?

semantic and instance segmentation, making it easier

Sreeni: Almost every aspect of our life is currently

for researchers who might not be familiar with technical machine learning terms to understand these concepts (See figure above - an excerpt from the eBook).

undergoing a remarkable transformation, thanks to AI. Microscopy is no exception. Picture this: a microscope that’s no longer a passive observer but a dynamic partner in the image acquisition

The response to our initial release has been

and analysis process. The microscope, guided by AI,

overwhelmingly positive, both from our internal

can autonomously identify regions of interest, and

colleagues at ZEISS and external readers. Given this,

configure the imaging experiment accordingly. But

we are excited to announce that we’re in the process

here’s where it gets truly exciting: as you watch, the

of developing a second version of the eBook. This

microscope becomes an active explorer, starting

upcoming edition will delve into additional aspects

with an overview and then seamlessly zooming

of AI in microscopy, such as denoising and image

in, all guided by the insights it gains from previous

reconstruction, to further empower researchers in

images.This is the era of “Smart Microscopy,” where

harnessing the potential of AI in their work.

it’s like having a skilled assistant by your side, helping

Viji: We started building one of the first DL-guided

you uncover hidden insights in real time rather than

Spindle analysis tool ‘SpinX’ four years ago (Dang

hours.

2023, JCB) - we recently reviewed a wide range

Viji: What are the emerging challenges in terms

of DL-guided in microscopy (Chai 2023., TiCB). It

of Quality control to ensure high-quality AI-based

seems like AI is supporting a digital transformation

image analysis tools?

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Sreeni: Ensuring high-quality AI-based image

like the lack of industry standards, as previously

analysis tools presents its own set of challenges.

mentioned, and the potential legal and ethical issues.

One significant hurdle is the need for a robust

Technical challenges may surface when attempting

and diverse dataset for training AI algorithms.

to create unified AI models that span various

Without representative data, AI tools may struggle

microscopy modalities such as LM, EM, and XRM.

to generalise and provide accurate results across

However, with adequate training data and continued

various applications and samples.

development efforts, these challenges can be

Another challenge is the interpretability and explainability of AI-driven results. Users often need to understand why and how the AI arrived at a specific conclusion, especially in scientific research.

us to adapt and evolve, making technical obstacles less worrisome in comparison to standardisation and ethical considerations.

Ensuring that AI can provide transparent insights is

Viji: Any examples of successful implementation in

essential.

Drug discovery?

Next, the continuous adaptation and validation of

Sreeni: Many AI-focused biotech startups are

AI models as microscopy techniques evolve can be

emerging, all sharing a common mission: to expedite

demanding. These models must stay relevant and

drug discovery. For example, BenevolentAI, has

effective as new imaging technologies and sample

created an AI platform that can analyse extensive

types emerge.

biomedical data to identify new drug targets and

The most significant challenge, in my opinion, is

design new drugs.

the absence of established industry standards

When it comes to microscopy, a major pharma

for AI. Without such standards in place, research

company

groups and organisations tend to create their

microscopy images of cell cultures. This approach

own individualised best practices, tailored to their

significantly accelerated the drug discovery process

unique circumstances. This decentralised approach

by pinpointing compounds that influence specific

can result in a scenario where evaluating the quality

cellular features relevant to diseases.

of AI models becomes exceedingly complex.

recently

harnessed AI

to

analyse

Also, tools like ZEISS’ arivis Cloud are democratising

Binghao: Computer Scientists are trying to answer

AI technology in microscopy. They make AI-

the interpretability question by breaking the “black-

driven image analysis accessible to researchers,

box”. Although their methods cannot break the

streamlining this critical aspect of microscopy, and

black-box completely, their studies are the “starting

thereby enhancing the efficiency of drug discovery

point” of interpreting deep learning methods.

efforts.

An example method here is called “activation

Viji: Could you provide insights into the key

maximisation”, and their computational paper is “Methods for interpreting and understanding deep neural networks” (Montavon et al., 2018) Viji: Are there technical hurdles in terms of AI algorithms development?

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overcome. The dynamism of AI technology allows

skills and knowledge areas that professionals in the microscopy field should develop to effectively incorporate AI into their work?

Sreeni: In the early days of AI, about a decade ago, incorporating AI into microscopy required a

Sreeni: Considering the rapid technological

deep understanding of coding and machine learning.

advancements in AI over the past two decades,

Today, we no longer require coding skills thanks to

my concerns about technical hurdles are relatively

no-code software like ZEISS’ arivis Cloud, the arivis

minimal. Instead, I’m more focused on challenges

Pro deep learning operator and the ZEN AI toolkit.

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Image (above): Excerpt from the ebook 'AI for Advanced Image Analysis' illustrating two different types of model development for microscopy applications.

The key skills that microscopists should develop

asset. Python skills allow researchers to further

primarily involve understanding how to effectively

customise and adapt these software tools to suit

use these AI tools to enhance their work. It’s about

customised applications and experimental needs.

integrating AI seamlessly into existing expertise,

This combination of domain expertise and adaptable

rather than acquiring new skills. These software

coding skills can be a potent force in pushing the

tools are incredibly powerful and can streamline

boundaries of research in the microscopy field.

routine tasks, image analysis, and data interpretation.

Viji: How can we build reusable AI models? Open-

When it comes to using AI in research, it’s essential

source frameworks, libraries and DL models will be

for researchers to be aware of the difference between

excellent for further research and deployment. Do

model-centric and data-centric approaches. In the

you have a practical guide?

former, you work with a fixed dataset that requires complete annotation, and you test it with various machine learning algorithms, which demands a solid grasp of machine learning. A better approach is the ‘Data-Centric’ one, where the algorithm remains fixed, and the user, typically a subject matter expert, annotates only the necessary data to initiate model training. Additional annotations are added only in areas where the model struggles. This approach is

Sreeni: Making AI models reusable and sustainable in scientific image datasets is indeed challenging.

The variability in microscopy datasets makes it hard to use the same AI model in different situations. To address this, it’s important to make AI accessible to a broader range of researchers so they can contribute to developing more generalised models that can be reused.

often the most efficient way to utilise AI in research

Sharing training data with annotations is vital,

contexts. (See illustration above from eBook).

although regrettably, it’s not widespread, even in

It is also important to note that while these

academic circles.

software tools are versatile, they may not cover

Platforms

every aspect of research, especially in cutting-edge

interoperable

like

arivis

create

format,

allowing

models

or novel areas of discovery. In such cases, having a

customisation for specific niche tasks. Dockerising

basic knowledge of Python coding can be a valuable

AI models is another practical method for

for

in

an

further

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enhancing sustainability and efficiency, as it allows

consuming and expensive. What can we do as

for reproducibility across various systems.

computer scientists to make the annotation easier,

Quality matters a lot. Good data is essential for dependable results. Think of it like the strict checks

Sreeni: You’re absolutely right; annotating scientific

that smartphone apps go through before they’re

images often demands highly trained experts in

released.

life sciences or clinical sciences. Their expertise

In summary, a combination of accessibility, data sharing, format interoperability, Dockerisation, and quality assurance processes is essential to promote the reusability and sustainability of AI models in scientific image analysis.

Viji: Where do you foresee ML (machine learning) engineers to be vitally important in the microscopy field?

Sreeni: ML engineers are really helpful in

is valuable, and it wouldn’t be practical to burden them with manually annotating every pixel in every image. Fortunately, there are algorithms, like the ones available on platforms such as arivis, that can work with partial labels, which can save time and resources.

Meta recently introduced a “segment anything” model that actively learns from user annotations in

real-time,

automatically

adding

additional

annotations (Kirrilov et al., 2023) To streamline the

microscopy and research. Instead of spending

annotation process and accelerate the development

time and resources reinventing algorithms already

of training data, integrating such algorithms into

available to researchers, like those on platforms such

annotation pipelines is a promising approach. This

as arivis, ML engineers can help automate insights

way, computer scientists can contribute to making

from specialized experiments. These experiments

image annotation more efficient and accessible.

often push the boundaries of our understanding, and ML engineers, working with researchers, can make the data more valuable and speed up scientific

Binghao: Given the black-box nature of DL, how can users be certain of the strength of a model.

discovery.

Sreeni: To ensure the reliability of deep learning

Viji: What are your thoughts about AI algorithms

(DL) models, it’s essential to have a ground truth

for tracking objects live?

Sreeni: AI-based object-tracking algorithms do exist. I haven’t explored them extensively because traditional algorithms work quite well for tracking objects. Traditional methods are reliable, and they offer transparency, unlike deep learning, which can sometimes be a bit like a black box.While traditional algorithms might be slower, it’s worth noting that many microscopy tracking experiments don’t necessarily demand real-time results. However, if a specific application requires real-time tracking,

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and are there any techniques for solid ground truth?

for testing AI models. This means involving experts in the evaluation process.

It’s important to understand that being a biology or geology expert doesn’t automatically make someone an image analysis expert. These researchers require proper training in the fundamentals of image analysis, not only in using AI. Fortunately, many universities are now offering image analysis courses, and I’m optimistic that the next generation of researchers will be more proficient in image processing, which will help identify and rectify any errors made by AI.

that’s when deep learning methods become a

Binghao: This last question is relevant to clinical

valuable option.

experts. AI model without descriptors cannot get

Binghao: Unlike annotating objects in daily

FDA approval – what’s the trend here?

life, image annotation requires highly trained life

Sreeni: I’m not an FDA approval expert, but

sciences /clinical sciences experts – this is time-

I can share that there’s a notable trend toward

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

datasets require AI for efficient data analysis. This indicates that the FDA is likely developing or has already defined a framework for incorporating AI components into the approval process.

The eBook, ‘AI for Advanced Image Analysis’ is available to down load for free here: https://www.

arivis.com/ai-ebook

References 1) Dang et al., 2023 https://doi.org/10.1083/ jcb.202111094 2) Chai et al., 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j. modernising the approval process. For instance, the recent FDA Modernisation Act 2.0 introduced alternatives to animal trials, such as cell-based assays with organoids and organ-on-a-chip models, as well as digital twins. These multidimensional

tcb.2023.10.010 3) Montavon et al., 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j. dsp.2017.10.011 4) Kirrilov et al., 2023 https://arxiv.org/ abs/2304.02643

Submit to infocus infocus welcomes submissions of articles of general interest to microscopists.

You provide the text and images and we take care of the rest. It’s the ideal way to share your work with the microscopical community.

Full submission information and guidelines are available at www.infocus.org.uk.To submit an idea or if you have any questions about the process please email the Editor (editor@infocus.org.uk)

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Dr Liam Rooney revealed as Scottish Microscopist of the Year!

RMS Early Career Committee Chair becomes inaugural recipient of prestigious accolade from Scottish Microscopy Society Huge congratulations go to RMS Early Career

champions and mentors, and I’m really thankful for

Section Chair, Dr Liam Rooney, who has been

their support.

announced as ‘Scottish Microscopist of the Year’.

supportive of my journey and afforded me the

by the Scottish Microscopy Society, celebrating

freedom to work with great teams across the society.

inspirational and outstanding contributions to the

I’ve had the luxury of spanning two dynamic fields

Scottish Microscopy community.

- microscopy and microbiology. Having involvement

Liam, who is based at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (University of Strathclyde), conducts research covering both

with both the RMS and the Microbiology Society has been a great way to straddle the boundary and connect communities.”

microscopy and microbiology. He uses innovative

As part of the award, Liam received a £500 cash

optical

prize and an invitation to give a talk at the Scottish

imaging

methods

to

study

various

microbial phenomena: how bacteria interact, form communities, contribute to disease, and how to treat infections more effectively.

In addition to his own research, Liam has been actively engaged in RMS activities for several years.

He joined the Society as a PhD student in 2016, going on to become a member of the Life Sciences Section Committee in 2018, and then Chair of the Early Career Committee in 2020. He is also involved with the Microbiology Society.

Liam said: “Winning this award came as a great surprise and an honour. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve had from mentors, colleagues, and learned societies. I’m really lucky to have such a supportive research environment and mentors who encourage me to explore my curiosities. Professor Gail McConnell and Professor Paul Hoskisson (University of Strathclyde) have been fantastic

18

He added: “The RMS has also been overwhelmingly

The award was bestowed for the very first time

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Microscopy Society’s annual symposium.

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R E P O RT

IMC20 - Busan

South Korea, 10 – 15 September, 2023

T

he 20th International Microscopy Congress (IMC20), known as the “Olympics of Microscopy”, was held for the first time in South Korea, in the BEXCO conference centre in Busan, between the 10th and the 15th of September 2023.

Beatrice Bottura (left) and Megan Clapperton pose for a selfie outside the conference centre

After our long journey from Glasgow, we checked into our apartment in the Haeundae district of the city, home to a beautiful sandy beach and a traditional fish market. After eating our first bibimbap, we spent the following day exploring Busan and trying

following evening, the conference officially started

the local cuisine, and we tried to beat the jetlag

with the opening ceremony, featuring traditional

by watching the sunrise on Haeundae beach. The

Korean music and dancing, and a buffet dinner.

An attractive street scene in Busan, showcasing some of the enticing local food outlets.

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

A series of Buddha statues on display at the Haedong Yonggungsa Buddhist temple.

IMC20 had a huge selection of talks spanning

session. After our well received talks, we had

the physical, life and analytical sciences. Each day

time to network with colleagues and attend the

began with a plenary lecture from highly esteemed

poster session, before being whisked away to the

researchers, including three Nobel laureates. The

Busan Cinema Center to attend Zeiss’s Customer

first session that we attended was ‘Development

Appreciation Event. This event was a true highlight

and Advance of New Microscopy for Biological

of the trip, with a bountiful buffet dinner, a photo

Systems’, opened by Gail McConnell presenting

booth, games, prizes and multiple live music

recent work and new advancements from the

performances! The rest of the conference was fully

Mesolens, setting the scene for our own talks later

packed with great sessions - among our favourites,

in the day. This session had a plethora of inspiring

Koji Kyoda’s talk on the SSBD database for global

talks including the AMETERAS system from Taro

sharing of bioimaging data and Minsoo Kim’s talk

Ichimura, label free histopathology from Juyeon

on visualising and manipulating immunity with light.

Park, and a talk from one of the developers of the CUBIC clearing system, Etsuo Susaki. The lunch sessions that followed the morning talks consisted of a selection of local cuisine, followed by an opportunity to look around the vast exhibition. On Monday afternoon, we presented at the ‘Multiscale imaging of pathogens, host, and their interaction’ Megan and Beatrice beat their jet lag by watching the sunrise on Haeundae beach.

As both of us are nearing the end of our PhD project, IMC20 will probably be our last conference as PhD candidates. And what an experience has it been! Busan is a wonderful city, and we managed to explore some of it around the conference times.We visited the peaceful Haedong Yonggungsa Buddhist temple (which included a fitting “statue of Buddha for academic achievement”), we rode the Sky Capsule multi-coloured miniature trains above the Haeundae coast and wandered through the magical Gamcheon culture village. We are both deeply grateful to the RMS for its financial help, which has enabled this unforgettable experience.

Beatrice Bottura & Megan Clapperton, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

21

Journal of

Microscopy The Journal of Microscopy publishes top quality research articles, review articles and Hot Topic papers covering all aspects of microscopy and analysis.

This includes cutting-edge technology and innovative applications in physics, chemistry, material and biological sciences.

You can read the latest Early View papers online at www.journalofmicroscopy.org They include:

Applications of clinker microscopy for approaching a special case study in cement production S. Mutke, F. Canonico Within this article the importance of the optical light microscopy for the investigation of cement clinker is illustrated by three examples: a) Ono’s method plays an important role in the case of the production of oil well clinker where the reactivity of alite and additionally the melting phase influences strongly the properties of the later cement; b) the use of secondary fuels can lead to unexpected phenomena in the clinker matrix accompanied by strange changes in color; c) for the interpretation of CSA clinkers, the combination of light and scanning electron microscopy can give important information about the formation of clinker phases depending on the burning conditions which can hardly be detected by other methods. However, in case of CSA clinker there is still little knowledge about the relationship between production and hydraulic properties of the clinker and therefore no systematic documentation is available.

THEMED ISSUE ARTICLE (Open Access)

Modelling 3D supramolecular structure from sparse single-

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

molecule localisation microscopy data Alistair Curd, Alexa Cleasby, Michelle Baird, Michelle Peckham Single-molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM) finds the positions of fluorescently labelled molecules in cells with a precision of between 1 and 10 nm.

Interpreting this data helps us to uncover how these molecules are organised within cells and within specific structures important for their cellular roles.

However, imperfect fluorescent labelling and low signal-to-noise ratios in experimental SMLM data limit its ability to detect all of the fluorescent molecules.

Sometimes less than 1% of these molecules are located with high precision, which makes determining their molecular arrangement very challenging.

To overcome this challenge, we have developed a new method called PERPL: Pattern Extraction from Relative Positions of Localisations (https://github. com/AlistairCurd/PERPLPython3, https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=uB1aU8QC_Z4) to analyse this type of data. In this method, we determine the relative positions of pairs of precisely localised molecules in 3D, and determine characteristic relative positions from collecting data over multiple instances of the molecular complex in a single cell, or over multiple cells. The combination of the most common relative positions of pairs of molecules gives

us information about their 3D arrangement and the structure of the complex they are found in. We then build mathematical models for the distribution of relative positions in different candidate structures, which represent hypotheses about the underlying molecular organisation. Fitting these models to the experimental data allows us to select the model most likely to represent the best hypothesis.

We demonstrate this method on an eightfold symmetric protein distribution in the nuclear pore complex and on a repeating pattern in muscle cell protein arrangements found from approx. 1% and 0.1% of these molecules in different SMLM techniques.

We also explore the patterns of other muscle cell proteins that are as yet less well understood.

PERPL can also analyse the arrangement of more than one molecule of interest in a complex and features within standard pixelated image data that can be described by coordinates. Finally, PERPL can also be used to test systematic variability due to SMLM data acquisition techniques, when a well-characterised sample is used, or to test the variability of a sample.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

A method for extraction of exosomes from breast tumour cells and characterisation by transmission electron microscopy Zhiang Liu, Haowen Xue, Qi Chen, Ge Yang Exosomes can not only be used as markers of tumour metastasis but also be used for noninvasive

diagnosis of clinical diseases, which holds significant medical research value. Observing the morphology and distribution of exosomes using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is highly significant. In this study, we use breast tumour cell (MDA-MB-231) exosomes as a representative sample and focus on the extraction and purification of exosomes, as well as the investigation of optimal conditions for the observation of exosomes using TEM. Through comparative tests, we obtained the optimal dilution concentration and staining method for TEM of exosomes, the best dilution concentration is 100 times, the best negative staining time is 1.5 min.

Western blotting and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the presence of exosome. The particle size experiment shows that the size of exosomes is mainly distributed between 60 nm and 150 nm. This method provides a reference for TEM sample preparation of subcellular structures and small molecular biomaterials other than exosomes.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE (Open Access)

Repair effect of Centella asiatica (L.) extract on damaged HaCaT cells studied by atomic force microscopy Linlin Wan, Zhengxun Song, Zuobin Wang, Jianjun Dong,Yujuan Chen, Jing Hu People’s choice of cosmetics is no longer just ‘Follow the trend’, but pays more attention to the ingredients of cosmetics, whether the ingredients of cosmetics are beneficial to people’s skin health; therefore, more and more skin-healthy ingredients have been discovered and used in cosmetics. In this work, atomic force microscope (AFM) is used to provide physical information about biomolecules and living cells; it brings us a new method of high-precision physical measurement. Centella asiatica (L.) extract has the ability to promote skin wound healing, but its healing

23

sample slide can generate illumination of a numerical aperture of over 1.4 at a small fraction of the cost of oiled dioptric condensers of comparable numerical aperture. In addition, I present two ways in which a diffuser may also be used to measure the numerical aperture generated by an illuminator using either a calibrated index-coupled paper diffuser to implement an interpolative variation of the Horsfall method or a diffuser as a detector screen coupled to a selfbuilt microscope slide-based illumination system apertometer.

THEMED ISSUE ARTICLE effect on damaged HaCaT cells needs to be investigated, which plays a key role in judging the effectiveness of skincare ingredients. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of Centella asiatica (L.) extract on ethanol-damaged human immortalised epidermal HaCaT cells based on AFM. We established a model of cellular damage and evaluated cell viability using the MTT assay. The physical changes of cell height, roughness, adhesion and Young’s modulus were measured by AFM. The findings indicated that the Centella asiatica (L.) extract had a good repair effect on injured HaCaT cells, and the optimal concentration was 75 μg/mL. TECHNICAL NOTES

Use of a refractive index–coupled diffuser to both generate and measure high-numerical aperture illumination for light microscopy Paul J.Tadrous While numerical aperture of transillumination at or above 1.25 can be achieved with a substage oiled Abbe condenser, such immersion-capable condensers can be expensive limiting their use in resource poor settings.Also the measurement of numerical aperture generated by illuminators has received relatively little attention in the literature compared to methods for measuring the numerical aperture of acceptance by objectives. In this article, I show how an inexpensive paper diffuser with refractive-index coupling to the

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Field-dependent abundances of hydride molecular ions in atom probe tomography of III-N semiconductors Aissatou Diagne, Luis Gonzalez Garcia, Samba Ndiaye, Noëlle Gogneau, Maria Vrellou, Jonathan Houard, Lorenzo Rigutti We investigate the microscopic behaviour of hydrogen-containing species formed on the surface of III-N semiconductor samples by the residual hydrogen in the analysis chamber in laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT).We analysed AlGaN/ GaN heterostructures containing alternate layers with a thickness of about 20 nm. The formation of H-containing species occurs at field strengths between 22 and 26 V/nm and is independent of the analysed samples. The 3D APT reconstruction makes it possible to map the evolution of the surface behaviour of these species issued by chemical reactions.The results highlight the strong dependence of the relative abundances of hydrides on the surface field during evaporation. The relative abundances of the hydrides decrease when the surface field increases due to the evolution of the tip shape or the different evaporation behaviour of the different layers.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Uncertainty model for automated gunshot residue particle length measurements obtained from electron microscopy images

André Luís de Martins de Souza, Jailton Carreteiro Damasceno, Charles Bezerra do Prado, Mônica Aline Magalhães Gurgel, Renata Carvalho Silva Currently, the use of algorithms and computer vision systems for metrological purposes has increased in different areas of knowledge to reduce human error and process deviations, consequently increasing reliability and reducing measurement uncertainties.

This study presents a model for estimating the uncertainty of Feret’s diameter (DF) measurements of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images from regular and irregular gunshot residue (GSR) particles at different magnifications. The data were extracted using the automatic measurement algorithm developed by the Brazilian Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro). The proposed uncertainty model was based on the recommendations of the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM). The gold standard technique to identify and detect GSR particles is the SEM coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), which was used in the study. The low uncertainty values obtained in this study are justified by the refinement of the measurements performed at each stage of digital image procedures. The proposed uncertainty model contributes in an innovative way to the metrological evaluation of regular and irregular GSR particles at different images magnifications. The correct morphometry definition of these particles allows to study their distinction from other possible sources of GSR and, above all, their correlation with the type of ammunition used when firing the firearm. These

measurement uncertainty calculations can be applied to any object images acquired by SEM, which provides more confidence in the results of measurements of the object of interest.

Submit to the Journal of Microscopy 1.

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2.

No page or colour charges

3.

No page limit

4.

Simple online submission

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Helpful, friendly editorial team

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Average time from submission to first decision is less than 50 days

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Online tracking system – authors can easily check the status of an article in production and receive emails at key stages

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Rapid publication with Early View papers published online in advance of print, significantly shortening time from acceptance to publication

10. Free electronic offprints

Journal of Microscopy App Available for iPhone and Android

Search for Journal of Microscopy on the App Store or Google play and access your personal or institutional subscription wherever you are, whenever you want.

Submit online at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jmi View the Guidelines for Authors and full submission details online at:

www.journalofmicroscopy.org 25

Journal of Microscopy welcomes two new Scientific Editors The Journal of Microscopy (JoM) is very pleased to announce the appointment of two new Scientific Editors, Professors Vinayak P. Dravid (Northwestern University, USA) and Achim Hartschuh (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, Germany).

Both Vinayak and Achim will assist their editorial board colleagues in recruiting suitable referees for papers, and act as reviewers themselves, when appropriate. Among their other responsibilities

Professor Vinayak P. Dravid Vinayak P. Dravid is the Abraham Harris Chaired Professor of Materials Science & Engineering.

He also serves as the

as Scientific Editors, they will help encourage the

founding

submission of papers and promote the Journal at

of

the NUANCE Center

conferences and other scientific events.

the

NSF-NNCI

JoM General Editor, Professor Michelle Peckham

supported

SHyNE

said: “Both Vinayak and Achim are very highly

Resource. SHyNE is the

regarded in their respective fields, with a wealth

center of excellence for

of knowledge and expertise that will be of great

instrumentation/facility

benefit, both to the Journal itself, and those

infrastructure

contributing their papers. It’s great to have them both on board.”

26

Director

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

and

Vinayak P Dravid.

Midwest.

in

the

Professor Dravid’s scholarly interests revolve

PhD in 2001 working on ultrafast time-resolved

broadly around “nanoscale” solutions to “gigaton”

optical spectroscopy of molecular systems. A

challenges of energy and environment. He has a diverse research portfolio covering advanced microscopy, nanotechnology, energy policy and

postdoc position followed at the Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, USA, during which he learned about Nano Optics, near-field optical

emerging educational paradigms.

Professor Dravid has served as advisor and consultant to metrology, energy/petrochemical

microscopy and spectroscopy as well as other microscopy techniques.

companies, IP firms, the Chicago museums. He

Following

advises NGOs, professional society outreach

a

junior

professor post at the

programs, international organizations and private sector about science, technology and policy. One

Institute of Physical and

of his passions is to enhance societal and global

Theoretical

Chemistry,

appreciation for science and technology, especially

University

of

energy, environment, and sustainability through the

he accepted a call for a

lens of microscopy and nanotechnology.

professor position at the

Professor Achim Hartschuh

Achim Hartschuh.

Nanoscience Universitaet

of

Center

Chemistry Department of the LMU Munich in

Professor Achim Hartschuh is based at the Department

Siegen,

Chemistry

and

for

2006. Here, Achim spent 15 years as principal

(CeNS),

Ludwig-Maximilians-

investigator of the DFG Excellence Cluster

Muenchen, Germany. His

work

focuses on the development and application of new techniques for optical imaging and spectroscopy with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Achim studied Physics at the Universities of

Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM). In 2020 he became principal investigator of the DFG Excellence Cluster e-conversion, for which he is now also one of the speakers.

Tübingen and Stuttgart, Germany,. He obtained his

27

Journal of Microscopy: Paper of the Quarter Microscopy Community Welcomes Chatbot Solutions: Chatting About Microscopy is our Passion Filip Braet and David Poger provide some insights into their recent letter to the Editor, published in the November 2023 issue of the JoM (Vol 292, Issue 2) Artificial intelligence (AI) tools will increasingly determine our future research approach. Various AI simulation tools which aim to aid human intelligence are now available at our disposal. Chatbots allow scientists to readily access a multitude of (academic) information sources and datasets at the touch of a ‘well-formed’ question. Despite the strengths of this technology, a number of challenges remain. In particular, how this information is used in the research setting poses questions from methodological and ethical perspectives. As microscopists, data and digital innovations in microscopy are at the forefront of issues we face today, we discussed how chatbot technology can contribute to the future of microscopy sciences.

Over the past three years, David and I have been fortunate to work on the various challenges and opportunities that accompany the collection of big data in contemporary electron microscopy.

Our contributions to national and institutional projects such as in the Australian Characterisation Commons at Scale project, Microscopy Australia and Sydney Informatics Hub provided the perfect, stimulating environment for our inquisitiveness to touch on the different tools that have slipped into our professions of structural cell biology and data management. One of them is AI-driven chatbots.

Our interest in bot technology started as a lighthearted corridor chat sparked by the various opinion papers that were published earlier this year in the journal Nature. This conversation was readily followed by exploring different freeware solutions currently available. It didn’t take that long to convince us of the power of the technology, but

28

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

at the same time we noted its shortcomings and inaccuracies of the information provided by the bots for the novice or uninformed reader.

There were many microscopy-related questions that we wanted to explore with ChatGTP but we ultimately shortlisted twelve specific queries encompassing education, training and research in microscopy. We also attempted to mislead the bot which was inspired by the ‘Microscopy Horror’stories that regularly appeared in Microscopy Today some 25 years ago. We encourage the readership of infocus to read our letter and discover their responses.

Presently, our curiosity extends to how ‘Text-toImage Chatbots’ will perform once they are fully trained for scientific image data. On the other hand, do we dare to pose the question to the chatbot whether microscopists will ever become extinct because of AI? Will data collection, processing and

analysis, annotation, interpretation and compilation soon be fully driven and controlled by AI? This could be a nightmare scenario we may one day face.

Nonetheless, exploring an AI bot’s performance was a great learning experience that can provide educators with a tool for research training. In the research and training space, we see it as an additional e-tool to Microscopy Australia’s Technique Finder or MyScope with the timesaving benefit of answering common queries. In the education space, learning outcomes may be weighed against chatbot responses as a post-lecture learning tool. This contributes to educating the students in the proper and ethical use of AI tool as it offers the opportunity to raise awareness on issues Filip Braet obtained his PhD at the Free University of Brussels in 1999. Soon thereafter, he took up the role of Supervisor of the Microscopy Core Unit at the Flemish Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Ghent Filip Braet. before he joined The University of Sydney in 2004. At present, Filip is Director of Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis and Sydney Node Director of Microscopy Australia at the same Institute. His long-standing research interests cover the areas of structural cell biology, cancer biology and vascular biology.

He has over 30 years of research experience as a liver cell biologist and histologist, specialising in the application and development of correlative volume microscopy methods and associated biomolecular labelling techniques to unravel structure-function relationships that cannot be addressed through conventional microscopy.

surrounding information integrity and literature sources. Evidently, a current pitfall is the absence of referencing to published literature in the responses generated by AI bots. A flaw that will likely be rectified in future iterations.

Currently, the authors continue to work on various challenges such as metadata collection (in particular AI-assisted image annotation), guidelines for data retention and disposal, AI-segmentation tools for volume microscopy, and contributing to Australia’s persistent identifiers strategy and roadmap. This is the future of research and education, and it is our aim to build an ethically responsible narrative for the use of AI moving forward.

David Poger obtained his PhD in 2005 at the Université Joseph Fourier (Grenoble, Fr). After a career in structural biology and biomolecular simulation, he joined Microscopy Australia (MA) in 2020 as the research David Poger. data manager. Working with all the microscopy facilities across MA, he has developed and coordinated guidelines and training for research data management, including approaches that promote the FAIR principles.

David has engaged extensively with the research data management community, both in Australia and globally. He was also the lead for the work package on big-data electron and correlative microscopy in the Australian Characterisation Commons at Scale project, a multi-institutional project involving 10 Australian universities and four national researchinfrastructure organisations, including MA.

29

20 Questions with…

Dr Debbie Wilkinson,

Co-Manager of the Microscopy and Histology Core Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen.

1. How long have you worked at your current company/institute?

I’ve been at the University of Aberdeen since 2001, when I started my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science. I went on to do a PhD in the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University and officially joined the Microscopy and Histology Core Facility as a Research Technician in 2009.

2. How do you use microscopy in your work?

I now co-manage the Microscopy and Histology Core Facility at the University of Aberdeen, where we have a wide range of equipment available, including light, fluorescence, confocal and electron microscopes as well as microCT scanners.We are available to work with researchers within the University of Aberdeen and also with external laboratories and commercial companies. Our facility has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to assist users with their research.

While I spend some time on every microscope we have within the facility, I probably spend the most time on our confocal microscopes, as they are utilised by many users from multiple research groups. I spend a lot of time training other people to use our equipment safely and effectively, although I still manage to get time to do some imaging myself occasionally.

3. How many years have you been working with this technique?

I’ve been using confocal microscopes since 2004.

The first confocal microscope I used was an upright Zeiss LSM 510.

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

4. What has been the biggest advance with this technique over recent years?

For me, this would be the increase in resolution over the years. We are seeing some fantastic images being captured on our Zeiss LSM 880 with Airyscan in particular.

5. What other technique do you think has been the biggest revolution in your field?

Light sheet microscopy. It has allowed researchers to carry out in-depth analyses of large, optically cleared samples as well as long-term 3D imaging of live samples at high resolution, and it is producing some very nice data.

6. What technique do you wish had been available when you started your career?

It would have been great to have a light sheet microscope available during my PhD! We’re just

about to get our first one here in Aberdeen and I can’t wait to start using it.

7. What is your favourite thing about your job?

I love the variety of research I get to be involved in, and how every day is different!

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

I would love to still be doing what I do now.

9. Did you have a microscope or science kit as a child?

Not as such but I’ve always lived on the coast and as a kid I was very into marine biology, so I spent a lot of time exploring the rock pools near my home.

10 Who / what has been the biggest influence in your career?

Probably the microscopes I started using at the end of my undergraduate degree.The honours project I did involved a lot of confocal and transmission electron microscopy and I absolutely loved using them, and from then on, I was very keen to stay in the microscopy field.

11. Tell us about your ‘eureka’ moment When I realised how exciting it was to be part of many different research projects, and to be able to play a role in the successes our users achieve.

12. If you weren’t a microscopist, what job would you be doing?

Probably something with animals; I wanted to be a vet when I was younger.

13. Do you have an interesting hobby?

I’m a keen runner, and I earned a coaching qualification with Scottish Athletics in November 2022 to enable me to better fulfil my role as one of the run leaders at my running club. I ran my first marathon at Loch

Ness in 2021. I also branched out into triathlons a few years ago and did my first sprint triathlon in 2022.

14. I would like more………..

Time! There are not enough hours in the day!

15. I would like less………..

Negativity.Things seem so much easier to navigate when you have a ‘glass half full’ attitude.

16. What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever been to a conference?

I went to Vienna for a conference during the first year of my PhD and it was beautiful. I would love to visit again.

17. What is your favourite image and why?

I studied osteoclasts during my PhD, and one of my favourite images is one of an osteoclast on a dentine slice I imaged on the old Jeol SEM we used to have in our facility. I was always amazed by how beautiful they looked under the microscope and in the SEM you could clearly see the resorption pits left behind by the cell.

18. If you could have any superpower what would it be?

Super speed! I’d love to be able to fit more into each day!

19. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt in your career?

That it’s OK not to know everything.

20. Where would we find you on a Sunday afternoon?

You’d most likely find me running up one of the many hills near where I live in the Aberdeenshire countryside, or exploring new routes on my bike.

31

‘Avocado dream’ (RMS 2023 Digital Calendar image for October) A metastasis cancer cell topography in 3D. Studying the morphology and mechanical properties of the cells can help find effective ways of targeting for precise drug delivery.The height of the surface was colour-coded in shades of green, with the topmost part being cut off by brown. All colours were sampled from a picture of a yummy avocado.

Equipment Used: LiteScope AFM-in-SEM Radek Dao, NenoVision.

Image Credit: Marco Cassani, St. Ann’s University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic

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For more information please visit www.bruker.com/quantax

Innovation with Integrity

My first month at the RMS: Chief Executive Sali Davis

W

ell, they say a week is a long time in politics and I am now a full 28 moon cycle days into working at the RMS. A lot has happened. I do wonder if I will be like Tony Blair, who entered No 10 all those years ago with a full head of hair and a fresh complexion, only to emerge all

those years later, grey and pale. I think not if my first month is anything to go by. I have had the warmest welcome from my new colleagues at the RMS Office, and from all the members I have met so far. During my first month I have met with the team in Oxford and attended my first tranche of Executive, Council and section meetings. I have attended several official engagements, such as the awe-inspiring IRIS awards at The Crick, where committee member Alex Ball and his team won an award for their Hitachi Global STEM Outreach Project - an RMS-supported initiative offering schools the free loan of Tabletop SEMs. I was also proud to attend the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Commemoration at The Royal Society, where History Committee Chair, John Hutchison, had been invited to talk about the history of the RMS. I have been reviewing in earnest the RMS Risk

volumes about how our stakeholders want to work

Strategy for the next five years against the backdrop

with us to deliver our charitable aims - advancing

of the desire for our membership to support the

science, developing careers and supporting wider

Journal of Microscopy by submitting high standard

understanding of science and microscopy through

articles.

As a team we have to ensure we also

our Outreach activities. I have witnessed first-hand

deliver consistently excellent events and courses

how our section chairs and committee members

in a financial climate that is experiencing significant

are working hard to ensure that we are doing

hikes in inflation. I’ve been increasingly impressed

just that, and we will continue to review the way

with the variety of courses, workshops and events

we work as committees, sections and focussed

that our small team are able to deliver across the

interest groups (FIGs). I will also be reviewing the

country within such a small space of time. They

governance structure and ensuring we are meeting

do a great job ensuring the needs of delegates are

the needs of members, using our RMS ambassadors

met and managing the expectations of sponsors

and utilising the experience and skill sets of our

- operating at all times within financial resources,

corporate members, offering competitive rates and

meeting targets on Sustainability, and fulfilling our

incentives.

commitments on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDIA).

a few more strands of grey hair but not anywhere

Above all, I see a very exciting future for the RMS.

near the offices at 10 Downing Street; I think I will

The reputation of the Society and the legacy that

be staying put at 37-38 St Clements!

my predecessor, Allison Winton has created speaks

34

I look forward to reporting back to you, maybe with

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

35

New Member Welcome The Royal Microscopical Society would like to welcome our new members who have joined us in the last three months. We hope they enjoy a long and rewarding membership with the RMS. Mr Aurys Silinga Dr Helen Mooney Mr Krzysztof Sokol Dr Pamela Twist

Mr Brinthan Kanesalingam Miss Liana Hardy Professor Ted Kinsman Lewis Walker

Miss Houzhi Liu Mr Krunoslav Vinicki Miss Ella Proudley

If you know of anyone who might be interested in becoming a member of the Royal Microscopical Society and if you would like us to contact them, please send their details to our Membership Administrator, Debbie Hunt – debbie@rms.org.uk Application forms are available to download at www.rms.org.uk/membership Don't forget you can now log into the RMS website and check your membership status, renew and download receipts. If you have never logged into the RMS website, please enter the email address that is linked to your membership and then click 'forgotten password'.

If you have any queries or questions about your membership please contact Debbie Hunt debbie@rms.org.uk

Member Profiles Name

Anna-Mariya Anastasova Tell Us About You? I am a final-year MSci student at the University of Aberdeen, majoring in Molecular Biology with Bio-Business. I had the opportunity to complete an industrial placement in the Cellular Biology Group at the Pirbright Institute, where I was

36

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

introduced to confocal microscopy and EM, and gained considerable experience in confocal microscopy as part of my placement project. I am interested in putting my current experience to use in a PhD position.

Why did you become a member of the RMS? Membership of the RMS offers the opportunity to stay on top of current advancements in the field and connect with like-minded researchers.

Name Brinthan Kanesalingam Tell Us About You? I am a postgraduate student at the University of Moratuwa, focusing on X-ray microanalysis of 3D materials. My primary research area involves the development of characterisation techniques for micro- and nano-spheres utilising microscopy, spectroscopy, digital image processing, and machine learning methods. I am always thrilled about the potential of creating meaningful representations of microscopic and spectroscopic data through the application of machine learning and simulations.

Why did you become a member of the RMS? Being a part of a larger community of individuals who share a passion for microscopy has always been a motivating factor for researchers like myself. Engaging in discussions, attending

webinars, and participating in events not only sustains our enthusiasm but also exposes us to a diverse range of knowledge and opportunities within the field of microscopy. Specifically, I am delighted to be a member of the X-ray Focused Interest Group, which perfectly aligns with my current primary research focus. It offers me the prospect of engaging in meaningful discussions and fostering collaborations in this area of particular interest.

How do you feel being an RMS member benefits you?

I see membership of the RMS as a form of recognition and a valuable opportunity to contribute to and acquire knowledge within the field of microscopy. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of learning from experts across various facets of microscopy as it promises to be an enriching experience.

37

R E P O RT

IUPAC|CHAINS2023 The Hague, Netherlands 18 – 25 August 2023

L

ouis Pasteur once said: “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world”, and it was my pleasure to learn a range of lessons about how “science is the torch which illuminates the world” when participating in the IUPAC-CHAINS 2023 conference.

It was wonderful to get to know researchers from many different fields and meet students from across the world, as we explored the Hague, Netherlands together. I am very happy to share my small experience of this event.

The conference consists of several parts, namely the 52nd IUPAC General Assembly (18 – 25th August) and 49th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress combined with the 11th edition of CHAINS the largest chemistry congress from the Netherlands (20-25 August 2023).

The conference certainly helped to strengthen my knowledge and skills. I really admired the work of Professor Molly Stevens, who shared about “Healing the body and detecting diseases earlier through new materials”, at the opening ceremony.

I was very impressed by the other award sessions

A seaside view from a sandy beach in The Hague.

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

and talks, and would like to congratulate all prize winners and speakers!

It was fantastic to learn more about many ongoing projects and connect with great people from different IUPAC Meetings. For example, I was able to exchange ideas with different inspirational members from the IUPAC - Polymer Division and Analytical Chemistry Division. Our recent launch of the “Polymer Video Competition” could enhance our shared passion for polymer science and provide opportunities to showcase students’ collective creativity and knowledge. Another on-going project, “A review of current status of analytical chemistry education” also received lots of positive feedback and discussion from international candidates.

Meanwhile, I joined in a series of programmes included in the Congress for the first time, and specifically aimed at early-career researchers, postgraduates, and undergraduates. I received plenty of good advice, not only in terms of research and career progression, but also how to achieve a good work-life balance. Moreover, I was happy to meet diverse National Delegates and Young Observers via the International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN), European Young Chemists’​ Network (EYCN), and Jong KNCV | Young Royal Netherlands Chemical Society.

Tien Thuy Quach presents her poster during the conference.

great opportunities to build new collaborations and enhance the exchange of knowledge. At IUPACCHAINS 2023 I learned many new things and also had fun exploring this welcoming city. I am very thankful to everyone who helped make it possible for me to attend and present my work. I hope to stay in touch with many of the student researchers I met at the conference, so that we can grow together in the future.

Finally, I would like to summarise my top sevenlessons learned from the IUPAC|CHAINS2023:

Along with joining different parallel and focus sessions, I was happy to share my knowledge and experience with a wide range of participants. For example, I had great discussions with a range of researchers and students when presenting my scientific poster “Surface and interface study of 3D-printed biopharmaceutical products” at the booth Health 78, and my community poster “Making the most of my second-year PhD project during the Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2021)” at the Young Programme Exhibition. Additionally, I joined in several social activities during and after the conference sessions.This enabled me to learn more about the cultures and people in the Netherlands, which is certainly very different from my home town in Southeast.

It was a privilege to visit the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) – recipient of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its extensive efforts to rid the world of chemical weapons - and also to attend a talk from Professor Elisa Souza Orth (Federal University of Paraná, Brazil / OPCW) entitled “Women in chemical security and safety”.

I believe in-person discussion and networking opens

1) Making the time and effort for fruitful collaborations is always worth it.

2) Be prepared for unexpected things happened.

3) It is always possible to find ways of working together, no matter the differences or preferences among us.

4) Never, ever stop learning and stay positive throughout the journey.

5) Remember that talents spread out, and talents with great kindness are highly recommended.

6) Great suggestions and ideas come from both official and unofficial discussion.

7) Continue working smart and fighting hard for the things you believe, give and receive.

I would like to thank the Royal Microscopical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the University of Nottingham for providing support and funding which facilitated my participation at this event.

Tien Thuy Quach - School of Pharmacy & Centre for Additive Manufacturing, University of Nottingham, UK Email: tien.quach@nottingham ac.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tien-thuyquach/

39

NEWS Dr Peter O'Toole welcomes delegates to mmc2023.

From the RMS President 40

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Dear Readers, Time certainly seems to be flying this year, and it’s hard to believe I am already writing my second piece as RMS President for infocus – and my last for 2023!

As we approach the end of the year, it is of course apt to reflect on the full range of RMS activities in support of microscopy over the last 12 months.

It has certainly been quite a year for the RMS, which featured our biggest and most successful ever mmc, a busy calendar of other events – from the well established to entirely new - and of course, the end of an era with the departure of Allison Winton as Chief Executive, after 40 years at the Society.

In September we welcomed Sali Davis, our new Chief Executive. It has been a pleasure working with Sali during the last few months, and witnessing how quickly she has been getting to grips with everything in her considerable in-tray! Sali very much has her finger on the pulse and will no doubt continue to drive the Society forward in new and exciting ways. You can read more about her eventful first month at the RMS on p34.

Among our event offerings this year, we have seen further exciting instalments of the International Microscopy Lecture Series, featuring some of the world’s biggest names in microscopy. This is a great collaboration between the RMS, the Microscopical Society of Canada, the Israel Society for Microscopy and the Brazilian Society of Microscopy and Microanalysis.

It is also supported by the International Federation of Societies for Microscopy (IFSM). Further underlining the RMS’s ongoing efforts to reach out on a truly global basis, we continued to assist in the delivery of a new initiative – the Expansion Microscopy Group meetings, hosted by our partners in Canada and Australia. Another new development saw the RMS working in partnership with Zeiss Microscopy in delivering a pair of webinars on X-Ray microscopy and using AI to solve X-Ray imaging challenges. We hope to see further such collaborations with our Corporate members in the future. Meanwhile, in what’s left of 2023, we are looking forward to supporting the Society of Electron Microscopy Technology (STEM) one-day meeting at the Natural History Museum on 13 December. This is a great event for the EM community, and features the long-running RMS Beginners Competition – aimed at developing the public speaking experience of early career microscopists.

Elsewhere in this issue you can read about the highly successful and innovative Hitachi STEM Global Outreach project, of which the RMS is a proud supporter. This initiative has now reached more than 11,000 children across more than 100 schools, and in September, was recognised with an award from the Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS). Huge

41

congratulations go to all the volunteers involved in

bursaries – including those awarded to laboratory

this project – especially the project’s twin driving

technicians and support staff as part of the Society’s

forces - Dr Alex Ball of the Natural History

practice towards the Technicians Commitment.

Museum, and Dr James Perkins, of Queen Elizabeth's

It is vital that our events remain as accessible as

Grammar School, Kent.

possible to ensure everyone in our community has

Another long-running Outreach and Education

the chance to benefit from these opportunities.

initiative – our Microscope Activity Kits for primary

Looking ahead to the coming year, it certainly

schools – is well and truly back up to speed following

promises to be another busy one! As well as our

interruptions due to the Covid pandemic. It has been

established schedule of courses, meetings and

great to see so many schools able to participate in

conferences, we are very proud to be hosting

the scheme, providing what will be for most of the

elmi2024, taking place in Liverpool from 4 – 7 June.

children, their first ever taste of microscopy – and

This is one of the biggest and best events in the

hopefully the formative experience that sets them

European microscopy calendar, and hugely important

on a pathway to becoming the next generation of

for the Light Microscopy Community – both the

scientists.

researchers themselves and the manufacturers of

Meanwhile our Science Sections and Focussed

their equipment. We hope to see you there!

Interest Groups have been busy as always, in support

As part of our commitment to Early Career

of all the various different branches of microscopy

microscopists, we will also be offering a range

across the sciences. Among these is our recently

of

established Science Section for Data Analysis in Imaging (DAIM), and it has been a pleasure to see this committee bringing forward its first tranche of activities and initiatives during 2023. This is a rapidly developing and exciting field, with huge relevance and impact across the spectrum of microscopy and imaging. It is great to see how this new committee is adding to the diversity of activities supported by the RMS.

RMS

Professional

Internship

Placement

opportunities for students seeking to broaden their work experience. Interns work with our RMS staff to carry out projects that benefit both the Society and the community. One such project was recently completed by PhD student Zoe Barr, who produced an impact report for the previously mentioned Hitachi STEM scheme. An edited version of her report is included in this issue of infocus! (p50).

Having seen so many of our 2023 RMS Awardwinners receiving their accolades at mmc in July, I am

One of the most important aspects of the Society’s

reminded that we will soon be seeking nominations

work is the delivery of a wide range of training

for a whole raft of awards in 2024 – covering all

opportunities for those who use microscopy or

areas of microscopy. If you know someone who

cytometry for work or study. I’m pleased to report

deserves special recognition for their work, be sure

that 2023 was a bumper year for RMS training

to let us know when the time comes!

events, with no fewer than 11 courses, schools and

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our

workshops hosted – both online and in-person -

hard-working volunteers, committee members, and

covering light microscopy, electron microscopy,

of course, the RMS staff, without whom none of our

facilities management, super-resolution, confocal,

activities would be possible.

flow cytometry (including data analysis in flow

Finally, I would like to thank all of you, our members,

cytometry), and cryogenic microscopy. It is also

for your ongoing support of this great Society.

important to point out that many of our attendees

A very Happy Christmas and New Year to you all.

have only been able to access these opportunities through the support provided by RMS travel

42

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Dr Peter O’Toole, RMS President

1

69721

VOLUME 24 MARCH 2022

Official Partner of the EMS

‘Apochromatic’ Objectives

In Situ Mapping Techniques Bioimage Analysis ISTEM Imaging

Access all issues

Access all issues

NEWS

Are you interested in

an internship with the RMS?

Great opportunities for students keen to gain experience and benefit the microscopy community Did you know that the RMS offers a variety

Ideally, an RMS intern would work from the

of Professional Internship Placements,

RMS Office, located in Oxford, on a flexible

enabling students to develop their skills in a new

and hybrid working basis. We can be flexible to

environment?

the skills and strengths of each individual, and

We have been pleased to host five such

all interns are supported by the office team as

internships in recent years, and currently

well as the relevant committee or executive

have a range of potential projects in the pipeline

member for their project. Our intern becomes a

for future interns to tackle.

member of the team and experiences a different

Through this scheme, the Society gains fresh

environment and opportunities.

perspectives and ideas, and it results in great

If you have a student in need of an internship,

projects that benefit both the Society and the

please contact Victoria Masters.

community.

PhD student Zoe Barr carried out an RMS internship, during which she wrote an impact report for the Hitachi STEM Global Outreach project – an edited version of which you can read on p50.

44

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

PhD student Jo Cull recently completed an RMS internship, designing and delivering the Learning Zone at mmc2023.

Portable SEM project for schools wins IRIS Award!

Success of Hitachi STEM Global Outreach project recognised by Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) A

outreach

The scheme, which is led by Dr James Perkins of

programme supported by the RMS has won

highly

successful

schools

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in

an award for its community impact.

Kent, and Dr Alex Ball of the Natural History Museum, has gone from strength

Through the loan of a portable Scanning

to strength, with high demand and

Electron Microscope (SEM), the Hitachi

impressive feedback from participating

STEM Global Outreach project focuses on

bringing

research

directly

to

schools.

Alex Ball.

schools. The programme aims to foster

Both James and Alex received IRIS Awards

awareness for STEM in schools and the

for ‘Community Impact’ at a special

wider community, using state-of-the-art

ceremony at London’s Francis Crick

research instruments.

Institute in September.

In the first three years, close to 14,000 students and teachers at more than 100

ins.

James Perk

An overview of the programme and its success so far can be found on p50 of this

schools have benefitted from the experience of

issue, and the full impact report is available on the

using this high-level technical equipment.

RMS website

45

NEWS

elmi2024: Exhibition stands sell out in a fortnight!

100% of floor space already snapped up in fantastic response from companies Exhibition space for elmi2024 is officially sold out,

The RMS is delighted to be hosting elmi2024, which

thanks to a swift response from companies eager

will bring together scientists working in the field

to share the latest in Light Microscopy technology

of light microscopy and the manufacturers of their

at the event.

equipment.

More than 40 stands have been snapped up since

Its aim is to promote the quickly developing field of

sales opened on 17 October, and the RMS

light microscopy as a fundamental research tool for

would like to thank all our sponsors for

the life sciences and to strengthen the channels of

choosing to support the event - taking place in

communication between researchers, core facilities

Liverpool from 4 - 7 June.

and industry.

See our current list of sponsors

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Spider web adhesive droplets, by David Spears. Dry mounted web collected on coverslip. Imaged with Nomarski DIC on Nikon Diaphot microscope

Society launches annual call for images Do you have a striking image that you’re proud of

appeal for your submissions, and our first call for

and would like to see shared with our members?

images – for use in 2024 – is now open!

The RMS is on the lookout for micrographs!

We accept images from all forms and applications of

We love using your beautiful images on our website,

microscopy in both life and physical sciences.

in our newsletters and on our social media posts.

If we use your image we’ll make sure to credit you

We also put them on the cover of infocus Magazine

and any other co-authors - what better way to get

and the Journal of Microscopy.

your work out to a wider audience.

So if you would like to showcase your skills, we

You can submit your image online now.

would like to utilise them. Each year the RMS will

Good Luck!

47

NEWS

Professor Paul Verkade elected to IFSM Committee Long-standing RMS representative looking forward to new role The RMS is delighted to learn that Professor Paul Verkade has been elected as a Committee member of the International Federation of Societies for Microscopy (IFSM).

Paul, who is a Professor of Bioimaging at the University of Bristol, is a long-standing member of the RMS Electron Microscopy Science Section, and is also part of the Society’s Mentoring Working Group, supporting career development for microscopists.

He is one of the leaders in the field of Correlative Light Electron Microscopy (CLEM), and has taught on, and organised numerous RMS and other courses.

He has also edited five books on Correlative Microscopy.

The IFSM comprises microscopy societies from around the world, and is dedicated to the

advancement of all aspects of microscopy. Among its many roles, the organisation sponsors the International Microscopy Congress (the IMC), which is held every 4 years, and also supports young Paul Verkade. scientists to attend meetings organised by its member organisations.

Paul said: “I am very happy to be elected as a member of the IFSM board. I am looking forward to supporting all the international imaging societies and especially to represent the biomedical EM community.”

Download our Journal of Microscopy posters Promotional posters available to download and display at your workplace or institution Eye-catching posters promoting the RMS’s flagship publication, The Journal of Microscopy (JoM), are now freely available to download, print and display.

The JoM is the world’s oldest journal dedicated to the science of microscopy, and is the only peerreviewed publication of the RMS. A huge number of benefits are associated with choosing to publish in the JoM, including the opportunity to publish ‘open access’ if you are a UKbased researcher at an institution participating in an agreement between our publisher Wiley and Jisc.

To support the JoM and to encourage colleagues to submit their papers, you can now download these posters (right) for display in your place of work or institution.

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Graphene Liquid Cells at a Click

Graphene Liquid Cells for HR-TEM imaging: a breakthrough in liquid phase imaging tel +31 6 4932 0099 www.vitrotem.com info@vitrotem.com

Celebrating three years of the PORTABLE SEM IN SCHOOLS PROGRAMME Supported

by HITACHI STEM GLOBAL OUTREACH

By Zoe Kathleen Barr

Through the loan of a portable Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), this successful outreach programme focuses on bringing research directly to schools. In the first three years close to 14,000 students and teachers have benefitted from the experience of using this high-level technical equipment. An overview of the programme and the success so far is here, accompanied by some of the images produced by students from participating schools. More information about the programme impact, structure, pedagogy, and future can be found in the full impact report available on the RMS website The programme aims to foster awareness for STEM in schools and the wider community, using state-ofthe-art research instruments. By providing an extended loan, designed to be long enough for meaningful depth of use and investigation, we aim to encourage the use of microscopy as a tool for enacting best practice for STEM teaching. The programme so far has reached students throughout the UK, upskilled teachers and technicians, and enhanced the curriculum through research-based activities. The flexibility of the programme, centred around the SEM itself, supports a variety of outreach styles, cross-disciplinary engagement and builds communities connecting researchers with schools.

In partnership with

Natural History Museum (NHM) Provides a logistical hub to check the SEMs and to support teachers in set-up, training,

Hitachi Global Partners

and technical enquiries. The museum contributes

Courtesy of HITACHI Global partners, the SEM

technical expertise of SEM use and maintenance,

is loaned and fully insured with support for repair

and in outreach and education.

and advice.

50

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Oxford Instruments Provision of the Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry

(EDX)

system,

an

X-Ray

microanaylsis feature. The use of the EDX system extends the curriculum reach thanks to the additional feature specifications.

Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) Schools participating in the SEM loan are a part of the IRIS network of schools with IRIS as a logistical base for applications. As experts in developing research programmes within schools, data and research from IRIS facilitates and encourages a pedagogical framework for STEMlearning via research.

Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) Support from the RMS includes logistical handling and transport costs.The oversight of the Outreach and Education Committee provides evaluation and encouragement.

Headline numbers:

51

Hear from our students

A selection of eye-catching images from student projects:

52

Ballpoint Pen

Butterfly

Butterfly Tongue

Hornet Ocelli

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Cigarette Filter

Cable Wire

Pollen Grains

Pencil Tip

NiMH Battery Cross-Section

Tungsten Filament

Guitar Strings

Insect Foot

53

Water Slater

Salt

Quartz Crystal

Cotton Mask

Bullhead Fisheye

Stomata

Teacher Comments: “It has been a great privilege to be able to use the microscope and to share it with other schools, and it has definitely helped inspire our students in their research projects. Science should be all about excitement and discovery, and the results from the Scanning Electron Microscope certainly deliver on both these fronts.” Head of Science, Tonbridge School “It is (also) a new experience for students who are interested and encourages them to pick careers in sciences. We are happy to be able to benefit from the SEM and create projects using it to get more experience with scientific instruments and tech.” Lampton Academy

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

“We have enabled the development of enquiring minds in our students using the SEM. Again, we have given them agency over their work, students are astonished that they are ‘allowed’ to use this equipment for their work thus developing self-esteem and self-confidence. This was especially the case with some students who would not necessarily comfortable with academic study who have been empowered by this technology to produce excellent work. There are three students in particular for whom I would say that their SEM projects have changed the way they think about themselves and have had a profound effect on life outcomes.” Liverpool Lifesciences UTC “It was such a rewarding experience to see the children’s faces light up as they observed life sciences unravel right in front of their eyes. The SEM is truly the ultimate tool to spark curiosity in the future generation of scientists.” Science Technician, Tonbridge School “Collaboration between staff, academic and industry partners and students on SEM projects has further enhanced the idea of the schools as a safe learning space where all are included and work together to secure good outcomes for all.”

Science teacher, Liverpool Lifesciences UTC

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Hitachi TM4000 Plus/Plus II Feature highlights include ‘Plug-n-Play’ design to connect to power and use microscope within 1560 minutes and variable pressure for simple sample preparation with no requirements for sample coating.

Nicknames to distinguish between the TM4000 Plus (without EDS) and the TM4000 Plus II (with EDS) are ‘Mulder’ and ‘Scully’ respectively.

The remote operation and EDS of ‘Scully’ facilitates more external student users.

55

How the loan works Free loan of potable SEM for half a term

The SEM is at the centre of multiple styles of outreach:

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

1.

Individual Student Research Projects: an opportunity for Project Based Learning

2.

Lesson

and

In-Class

Demonstrations:

integrating the SEM as curriculum teaching tool 3.

Demonstrations and Workshops:

Educators’ perspective Cross-disciplinary use is taking microscopy into all spaces. (Image below) “It was amazing, they were using metaphor and similes, the language for them was brilliant, using words like delicate!”

English teacher (Principal of Liverpool Life Sciences) talking about the students using the SEM as stimulus for descriptive languages.

Building a pedagogical framework for STEM learning (Bottom of page).

Impact report Further detail of the logistics, success, and future plans are included in the full impact report. Available on the RMS website.

4.

Wide-reaching Public Outreach: including museum visits and conference days

A hub and spoke model supports collaboration between our host schools and their local partner schools.

Private host schools fulfil their responsibility to be a community hub.

57

C O M PA N Y N E W S

Peter Zehetmayer is joining Telight!

Peter studied chemistry and did his PhD in physical

are always pushing the boundaries of science and

chemistry on single molecule microscopy at the

exploring the unseen.

LMU in Munich. His commercial career started

www.telight.eu

as Application Scientist for special applications at Olympus BioSystems. He developed automated screening systems for Olympus and introduced them into the European market.The last seven years Peter was heading global product management, marketing and sales at ACQUIFER, a SME recently acquired by Bruker. We are very happy to welcome him to Telight, live-cell imaging specialists, where we

FocalPlane news We are delighted to announce our new partnership

BioImaging, EuroBioImaging, Global BioImaging,

with MicroscopyDB – a global repository of online

the Royal Microscopical Society and German

microscopy resources. This new partnership means

BioImaging. It is led by a Steering Committee that

that the listings on our jobs board and in our

includes representatives from the founding member

events calendar will now be pulled directly from the

groups and the community partners. Kate Luby-

MicroscopyDB database, ensuring that FocalPlane

Phelps is the Steering Committee Chair and chair

readers can keep up to date with event and job

of the BINA Training and Education working group,

listings across the world.

Sylvie Le Guyader is vice-chair of the Steering

MicroscopyDB emerged after discussion at the 2022 European Light Microscopy Initiative with founding members from the African BioImaging consortium, BioImaging North America, BioImaging UK, Canada

Committee, while Nikki Bialy handles coordination and partner logistics, and Vanessa Orr manages the databases and updates that make the content available on the partner websites.

We encourage the FocalPlane community to upload their job adverts and event listings to MicroscopyDB via their simple form, and then, once approved, they will appear on FocalPlane and the webpages of the other MicroscopyDB partners.

We hope you enjoy this new feature of FocalPlane and hope to bring you more news of some exciting developments soon! https://focalplane.biologists. com/2023/10/30/new-partnershipwith-microscopy-db/

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

CoolLED appoint Labtech as distributor

Labtech International has been appointed as one of the trusted distributors in the UK of CoolLED, the UK-based manufacturer of cutting-edge LED illumination for microscopy. Since releasing the first commercially available LED illumination system in 2006, CoolLED have transformed LED lighting for fluorescence microscopy and transmitted illumination. Labtech’s Light Microscopy team are pleased to represent this innovative brand.

Labtech International offers the full range of CoolLED LED Illumination systems, including highly controllable single channel or broad spectrum systems and specialised illumination for Fura-2 Ca2+ signalling – see Dr Martin Bootman’s work on studying mitochondrial flickers.

Making the switch to LED is one of the most sustainable changes that can be made in the laboratory, with LED lifetime of >10,000 hours and no toxic residue when that lifetime runs out.

Labtech International is celebrating 30 years as a leading supplier of instrumentation. Our application

and instrument specialists take a consultative approach to building solutions with our clients across life sciences research and the Bio pharma industry. www.coolled.com

FocalPlane supports Telight webinar series!

Telight is creating a series of videos focused on applications for super-resolution and Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) microscopy to showcase current developments in the field to researchers.

With great support from FocalPlane, your microscopy community site hosted by the Journal of Cell Science, encompassing all fields in biological sciences where they intersect with microscopy, they are bringing even more high-quality content.

If you know a researcher who would be interested in discussing their topic related to super-resolution or QPI, please contact them; they will be happy to cooperate. You can watch their webinars on their YouTube channel.

www.telight.eu

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C O M PA N Y N E W S

FusionScope™ Wins 2023 R&D 100 Award in Analytical/Test Category

Quantum Design is excited to announce that FusionScope – its new correlative AFM/SEM microscope platform – was named a winner of the R&D 100 Award for 2023 in the category of Analytical/Test. This prestigious award is a testament to Quantum Design’s team ingenuity, unbridled creativity, and unsurpassed ability for ground-breaking technological development from first principles.

The R&D 100 Awards are widely established in industry, government, and academia as a mark of excellence for the most innovative ideas of the year; and acknowledge the most promising new products, processes, materials, or software developed throughout the world and introduced to the market the previous year. Awards are based on each achievement's technical significance, uniqueness, and usefulness compared to competing projects and technologies.

This renowned worldwide science and innovation competition, celebrating its 61st year, received

entries from 15 different countries and regions.

This year’s esteemed judging panel included 45 well-respected industry professionals from across the world. Winners were awarded across five major categories—Analytical/Test, IT/Electrical, Mechanical/Materials, Process/Prototyping, and Software/Services.

Stefano Spagna, VP of Strategy and Innovation, responded, “We are grateful to be the recipient of the prestigious 2023 R&D 100 Award by R&D World magazine. The FusionScope represents Quantum Design’s latest efforts to bring technological innovation to scientific research. The team at Quantum Design saw an opportunity to bring something unique to the field of microscopy – a truly integrated correlative microscope that combined AFM and SEM in a truly cohesive manner by rethinking an instrument from the ground up.

We are incredibly proud to be acknowledged for t h i s achievement.”

“FusionScope provides the user a completely unique experience for performing correlative microscopy and takes advantage of an innovative shared coordinate system that automatically aligns both AFM and SEM operations for measurements and sample positioning,” stated Chris Schwalb, COO of QD Microscopy.

“Seeing the AFM tip in real time and positioning it with nanometre resolution under guidance of the SEM enables experiments that were simply not possible before.

We are honoured to win this prestigious award.” www.qd-uki.co.uk

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Linkam to present marketleading stages at AMS 2023 Linkam Scientific Instruments, booth 610, Advanced Materials Show, 3-4 October 2023, Columbus, Ohio Linkam Scientific Instruments will showcase its range of market-leading temperature and environmental control microscopy stages – the DSC450,THMS600, and MFS – at this year’s Advanced Materials Show (AMS) in Columbus, Ohio.

The unique microscopemounted design of Linkam’s differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) stages provides high-resolution image and time-lapse recording, and is particularly suited to pharmaceutical applications.

DSC is used to measure temperature and heat flow associated with thermal transitions in materials and Linkam’s optical DSC450 has been optimised to measure sample transition temperature and enthalpy change. Researchers from the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Life and Medical Sciences previously utilised the Linkam DSC450 to characterise drugpolymer excipient systems. The stage allowed the researchers to simplify the experiment and alleviate issues associated with drug-polymer miscibility.

With a temperature range of <-195° C to 600° C, Linkam’s range of THMS stages also offers accurate and stable testing of samples with controlled humidity, pressure and vacuum environments for use in a wide range of research fields. A study using Linkam’s technology found through microscopic examination that melt inclusions in the Alto da Cabeça pegmatite in North-East Brazil were entrapped with CO2-enriched fluid inclusions, paving the way for new insights into carbon capture technology.

Clara Ko, Sales and Marketing Director at Linkam, outlined Linkam’s enthusiasm for attending the Advanced Materials Show: “We are delighted to be at this year’s AMS. This show represents the latest in high performance materials technology in diverse sectors, and Linkam’s stages are well suited to supporting a wide range of applications to advance the field of materials science. The systems we will be presenting are proficient in analysing advanced materials, making them highly pertinent to this year’s show. We are looking forward to the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities, with our specialists present to answer any questions users may have.” https://www.linkam.co.uk

If you would like your Company News to appear on these pages, please contact infocus Magazine at advertising@infocus.org.uk The announcements in this Section are compiled by the manufacturers. They in no way represent a recommendation by the Royal Microscopical Society for any particular instrument or equipment. The Royal Microscopical Society does not endorse, support, recommend or verify the information provided on these pages.

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NEW PRODUCTS

EVIDENT Upgrades LEXT OLS5100 Laser Scanning Microscope Software to Enhance Precision and Efficiency in Your Workflow Evident

for

A new tolerance judgment feature enables users to

the renowned LEXT OLS5100 laser scanning

has

released

updated

software

set their tolerance boundaries and let the software

microscope. Designed for today’s materials science

colour-code the results. This visual aid helps ensure

and inspection professionals, this enhanced platform

rapid pass/fail decisions.

delivers exceptional accuracy and simplicity.

Streamlined Experiment Management The OLS5100 microscope now features an evolved Smart Experiment Manager that saves time by automatically creating the experiment plan. The updated software adds new functionality that makes the Smart Experiment Manager more powerful and enables it to fit more easily into materials science and inspection workflows. Uploading images to the Smart Experiment Manager is now even easier.

Simply drag and drop the images into the Smart Experiment Manager’s plan matrix. Users can also upload multiple files at the same time and rename conditions on the fly during an experiment, facilitating easier trial and error.

Intuitive Tolerance Judgments and Easy Data Transfer

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

To reduce the chance of errors, images and measurement values are automatically added to the plan matrix by the software. This also enables smoother data transfers, including to platforms like Microsoft Excel.

Automate the Entire Experiment Workflow Automation is key in modern labs, and the software’s macro function makes automation easier than ever. Creating and editing procedures is simple—load your samples, execute the macro, and let the software do the heavy lifting, helping ensure that data is promptly added to your experiment plan matrix. www.olympus-ims.com/en/ microscopes/laser-confocal/ols5100/

New Checkerboard calibration standard for SEM

thick chromium and 40nm gold-on-chromium, deposited on an ultra-flat, conductive, borondoped <100> silicon substrate. These materials are considered inert under normal working conditions.

Imaging contrast is good for both SE and BSE imaging, especially at lower keV. Checkerboard is suitable for SEM magnification calibration in the range of 20x to 50,000x with a pitch accuracy of ± 0.1% in both X and Y directions. It is also useful for checking image distortions and the accuracy of motorised SEM stages.

Micro to Nano has introduced the EM-Tec Checkerboard calibration standard, which is designed for quick and easy magnification and image calibration of SEMs. It consists of over 1.6 million squares which form four stages of checkerboard patterns. The smallest checkerboard is 10 x 10um, which in turn form a pattern of 100 x 100um and these again form checkerboards of 1 x 1mm.The 1 x 1mm checkerboards then form a 5 x 5mm pattern.

The smallest 1 x 1um squares are made of 20nm

EM-Tec Checkerboard calibration standard is NIST-traceable, with an example of wafer-level certificate of traceability supplied with each EM-Tec Checkerboard calibration standard.

Sussex-based Labtech International offer Checkerboard and an extensive range of Micro to Nano EM, AFM and LM preparation and imaging products in the UK. https://www.labtech.com

Introducing the Qdry

Quorum Technologies are delighted to announce our new automated Critical Point Dryer, the Qdry available to order now.

The Qdry combines versatility and unparalleled ease of use, offering automated control to meet the needs of SEM sample preparation as well as silicon wafer and MEMs drying.

With a sleek, modern design, the Qdry is compatible for use in laboratory fume hoods. The flexible software allows for seamless navigation and quick set up time. The functional design offers a screw top chamber allowing for quick sample loading,

maximising efficiency. With a large viewing window, users can observe the process flow and monitor the process with an integrated status indicator display.

Quorum Technologies manufactures marketleading scientific instruments used for EM sample preparation, with a range of Critical Point Dryers. Critical Point Drying is an established method of dehydrating biological tissue prior to examination in a SEM. https://www.quorumtech.com

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NEW PRODUCTS

Need something different with LED illumination?

CoolLED’s Amora Series for custom microscopy

of features around control, spectral coverage and

illumination is based on an established portfolio of

connectivity allows a solution to be tailored to the

off-the-shelf products, adapted to offer unparalleled

customer’s requirements. The Amora Series offers

customisation opportunities for original equipment

two main advantages:

manufacturers (OEMs).This provides a fast, efficient and low-risk LED illumination solution, while also addressing the specific needs of each individual application.

are famous for their reliability and have had many years to prove it. They are also backed

by CoolLED’s world-renowned support and

Experts in the generation and delivery of LED

generous warranty.

illumination, CoolLED launched the first LED light

• Production Speed – By focusing on selected

source for fluorescence microscopy in 2006. Since

features, a prototype can be created on much

then it has developed a diverse range of illumination

tighter timescales, helping customers meet their

systems to suit the most popular applications.

deadlines.

The Amora Series builds on this to serve the

For those of you requiring an especially unique

requirements

custom

solution for your custom microscope build, please

microscopy illumination. It draws from the strengths

of

those

looking

for

get in touch – the CoolLED R&D Team love a

of CoolLED’s popular off-the-shelf products and

challenge!

offers the flexibility to choose anywhere between

www.oemillumination.com

two and eight LED channels. Additionally, a menu

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• Product Reliability – CoolLED products

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Elevate Your Imaging with New FLUOVIEW™ Laser Scanning Microscope Systems Introducing the FLUOVIEW™ FV4000 confocal

see improved signal to noise and dynamic range

laser

over

scanning

microscope

and

FV4000MPE

traditional

photomultiplier

tube

(PMT)

multiphoton laser scanning microscope, featuring

detector technology. The system’s game-changing

ground-breaking

imaging

dynamic range enables researchers to capture

technology that empower researchers to make

images from the macro scale down to subcellular

new scientific discoveries. Designed to redefine

structures without compromise.

advancements

in

scientific imaging, the FV4000 and FV4000MPE microscopes deliver higher precision, reduced noise and improved sensitivity, setting a new standard for image acquisition and data reliability.

At the core of both new FLUOVIEW systems is Evident’s revolutionary SilVIR™ detector, a nextgeneration technology that enables researchers to achieve quantitative image data. With its combined silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and patented digital signal processing technologies, the SilVIR detector offers exceptional noise reduction and enhanced photon detection efficiency for a wider wavelength range, delivering clearer, more accurate imaging

Innovative NIR Capabilities With its expanded spectral range and improved multiplexing capabilities, the FV4000 system can detect an industry leading 400 nm to 900 nm wavelength range** with a minimum step of 1 nm.

results and quantitative image intensity data.*

The optical design of the FV4000 is optimised for

Exceptional Imaging Quality and Accuracy

near-infrared (NIR) imaging, with features such

The FV4000 and FV4000MPE microscopes employ

supporting up to 10 laser lines from 405 nm to 785

the SilVIR detector to provide an outstanding combination of sensitivity and precision, enabling

as optical elements with high transmission from 400 nm to 1300 nm, modular laser combiners nm and award-winning X Line™ objectives.

researchers to acquire high-quality images that

AI-Powered Advancements

surpass those of previous-generation laser scanning

Enhance your imaging experience with AI-powered

systems, even from weak fluorescence signals. This advancement helps ensure that images remain clear with exceptionally low noise, enabling accurate quantification of fluorescence intensity for more reliable data.

The system’s updated TruSpectral technology combined with high-sensitivity SilVIR detectors enable you to see more. With the SilVIR detector,

tools that reduce noise, streamline image analysis and improve time-lapse imaging. TruAI noise reduction and image segmentation technologies optimise image quality and simplify data extraction, saving researchers valuable time and effort. www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/laserscanning/fv4000/

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NEW PRODUCTS

Linkam launches enhancements to HFS probe stage Expert in sample characterisation, Linkam Scientific

Radiant Technologies, commented: “Previously it

Instruments, has unveiled its enhanced HFS600E-

could take five to ten minutes to get a probe into

PB4 probe stage for use in micro-sized electrical

position, because it was so difficult to place the

component temperature control applications.

probe tip on the tiny contact pad on the sample.

The new design was implemented in partnership with Linkam’s customer, Radiant Technologies, a major player in the design and manufacture of testing

66

Now, thanks to the modification, we can position the probes within a minute or so, due to the smooth action and ergonomics of the positioner design.”

equipment for electrical systems. The combination

Clara Ko, Sales and Marketing Manager, Linkam,

of Linkam’s HFS600E-PB4 stage with Radiant test

added: “For Linkam, the fact that we have upgraded

platforms has benefited Radiant’s customers for a

the product line as a result of customer feedback

number of years, allowing them to carry out analysis

like this really underlines the importance of this

of macro-scaled electronic components including

type of collaboration – it’s all about working with

ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials across a

our customers to find custom solutions to practical

temperature range from < -195 to 600 °C.

problems.”

However, when testing micro-sized electronic

Linkam’s HFS probe systems are based upon the

components, positioning the probe was previously

temperature control technology used in the

challenging for Radiant’s customers, as it was

THMS600 heating and freezing stages. Up to four

locked into a holder that was magnetically secured

positional probes can be attached to the electrical

into the chamber. Taking this feedback on board,

connectors within the sample chamber, enabling

Linkam worked on a new spring-loaded probe

electrical tests to be carried out while changing

that resulted in a new positioner, allowing manual

the temperature inside a gas tight environment. The

probe repositioning so users can fine-tune the

sample is placed on the heating element and the

position of the probes when testing small electronic

probes are moved manually to make contact at the

components.

appropriate points.

Michael McDaniel, Non Linear System Test Engineer,

https://www.linkam.co.uk/hfs600e-pb4

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

Keyence camera sensors make quick work of high-precision PET bottle inspection

Sewtec Automation, a market leader in bespoke

telecentric measurement cameras for profile

automation for a wide range of industries, has

measurement. The TM-X5000 system performs

developed an advanced inspection machine for

silhouette-based analysis for guaranteed accuracy,

PET bottles that relies on the high performance of

in this case measuring profile (height and width)

Keyence camera sensors to deliver accurate and

to within 5μm. The specially designed telecentric

repeatable results in short cycle times.

optics improve measurement repeatability by

Sewtec Automation invents, designs, manufactures, installs and supports industrial automation systems worldwide. The company says it embraces and solves complex engineering challenges that others

increasing uniformity throughout the field of view.

Compared with conventional optical systems, the TM- X5000 series offers about 100 times greater telecentricity (0.0001°).

will not, or cannot, tackle. A case in point involves

Sewtec integrated its TM-X5000 cameras to high-

a recent project for a customer that supplies food

precision linear stages that move horizontally so the

processing companies with PET bottles.

bottle sits equidistance between the two sensors.

“Our customer wanted an accurate inspection system for batch testing that could measure bottle profile and thickness, as well as perform a weight

The measurement station rotates the bottle and moves it up and down between the Keyence cameras in a cycle time of around 20 seconds.

check and crush test,” explains Sewtec’s Head of

The TM-X5000 system is a dual telecentric

Sales Andy Perks.

optical system that negates any concerns about

The machine created by Sewtec uses manually loaded fixtures carrying nests of bottles ready for inspection. An integral ABB six-axis robot arm and gripper automatically unload a bottle from the fixture, transferring it to the measurement station.

Once in position, the measurement station lowers the bottle between a pair of Keyence TM-X5000

focussing or misalignment. Furthermore, a short exposure time of 25 μs, some 40 times faster than conventional models, achieves high-speed and blurfree measurement of targets as they rotate or pass.

Distortion-free lenses and sub-pixel processing ensure a measurement position accuracy of ±0.2.m. https://www.sewtec.co.uk/

If you would like your new product information to appear on these pages, contact infocus Magazine at advertising@infocus.org.uk The announcements in this Section are compiled by the manufacturers. They in no way represent a recommendation by the Royal Microscopical Society for any particular instrument or equipment. The Royal Microscopical Society does not endorse, support, recommend or verify the information provided on these pages.

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The RMS Youtube channel: Check out our latest content – and revisit the International Microscopy Lecture Series!

The RMS now has around 170 videos available to watch on YouTube, having amassed a wealth of entertaining and educational content since joining the platform in May 2020. Our most popular videos include this year’s instalments of the International Microscopy Lecture series, featuring some of the world’s leading names in microscopy.

The channel also features recordings of recent online meetings - such as the Expansion Microscopy User Group initiative, short talks on essential techniques, and video entries from the RMS Scientific Imaging Competition.

If you have yet to explore what the RMS YouTube channel has to offer, why not start your journey by clicking on one of our videos below!

Professor Sir Peter Hirsch, in conversation with Journal of Microscopy Deputy Editor, Professor Pete Nellist.

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

RMS President Professor Archie Howie gave a talk earlier this year, as part of the International Microscopy Lecture Series.

From the archives: The Proceedings of the RMS, 1973 An award ceremony at the British Ambassador’s residence in Helsinki was the subject matter of a photo featured 50 years ago in The Proceedings of the RMS. Finnish physician Olavi Eränkö (1924–1984) was

alongside the image at the Ambassador’s residence,

presented with an RMS Honorary Fellowship in

and a portrait of the man himself.

recognition of his pioneering work in the field of chemical neuroanatomy in front of a delegation of colleagues, and H.E. the Ambassador, Anthony Elliott.

Representing the RMS was Dr Frederick Rost, and also in attendance was Eränkö’s wife, Liisa, a Council Member of the Histochemical Society of Finland.

A summary of Eranko’s career achievements up to 1973 is included

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

You can read more about the impact of his work in this 2020 paper on ‘Finnish neuroscience from past to present’ from the European Journal of Neuroscience DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14693 A tribute piece in 1985, the year after Eränkö’s death, was also published in the Histochemical Journal doi./10.1007/BF01004179

71

R E P O RT

‘The hidden world of microscopy’ – at the IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival Oxford, UK, October 14, 2023 Report by Anna Baldycheva

T

he IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival, in collaboration with the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS), and STEMM Junior by STEMM Global Scientific Society, hosted a remarkable event that left both children and adults awestruck. The event provided a unique opportunity for attendees to see the fascinating beauty and complexity of the microscopic realm and gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental building blocks of life.

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ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

The festival welcomed a diverse group of individuals, from curious young minds to science enthusiasts of all ages. The RMS and STEMM Junior played a pivotal role in bringing this event to life, showcasing a spectacular array of activities involving real-time microscopic observations with state-of-the-art microscopy equipment. From the very first step on the festival floor, the attendees could dive into the joy of exploring the unseen secrets of nature.

Highlights of the event included: Live Interactive Microscope Demonstrations: Participants had the chance to engage in hands-on workshops specifically tailored for all age groups.Young scientists eagerly prepared samples for examination.

Microscope Operation: Guided by professionals, attendees learned the art of operating optical and digital microscopes, enabling

73

them to witness the unseen world that surrounds

“It was an amazing experience. I saw a water drop,

us.

a small piece of leaf, and other small objects under

Capturing Microscopic Images: An exciting

the microscope.”

feature of the event allowed participants to

The event saw a fantastic turnout, with more

capture their own breathtaking microscopic

than 500 attendees from various backgrounds

images, fostering a sense of wonder and scientific

coming together to explore the hidden world of

exploration.

microscopy. Many parents were just as eager as

The response from both children and adults

their children to partake in scientific experiments,

was overwhelmingly positive. One enthusiastic

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making it a brilliant and engaging family-oriented

adult commented: “I’ve never explored the world

festival.

of insects before, thank you for this wonderful

The Royal Microscopical Society, together with

opportunity!”

STEMM Junior, have once again demonstrated

A young participant echoed the sentiment, saying:

their commitment to making science accessible

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

and exciting for all. The festival struck a chord with attendees, as wide-eyed wonder and animated explanations filled the venue throughout the day.

About the IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival:

The IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival is an annual celebration of science and innovation, providing a platform for the public to engage with the latest scientific advancements and creative inventions.

The festival aims to foster a love for science and technology in people of all ages. For more information about the IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival and future events, please visit website.

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Submission Guidelines

infocus is the Royal Microscopical Society’s (RMS) vibrant and striking quarterly magazine for members. It provides a common forum for scientists & technologists who use any form of microscope, including all branches of microscopy. Published four times a year, infocus is free to members of the RMS. infocus features articles on microscopy related topics, techniques and developments, an events calendar, news, event reports, book reviews, new product information, and much more. infocus welcomes submissions of: Articles - Full articles or reviews of general interest to microscopists, of approximately 30004000 words (excluding references), with images/ figures (as many as appropriate, 4-8 as a guide).

Longer articles can also be considered.

Short Articles - Short topical articles, review articles or articles providing hands-on help for microscopy methods.

Primer Articles - Short general articles that are focussed on specific techniques.

Debuts - Student articles publishing emerging results from a project. Results may still be incomplete, but areas of progress/problems should be highlighted, with the aim of provoking feedback.

Book Reviews – if you are a member of the RMS and are interested in writing book reviews for infocus, please contact Owen Morton owen@rms.org.uk.

Please see recent issues of infocus for examples of articles and reviews. To request a sample copy of infocus contact owen@rms.org.uk If you are interested in submitting to infocus, contact: editor@infocus.org.ukj

Article Text

• Abbreviations should be used sparingly and only if a lengthy name/expression is repeated throughout the article. When used, the abbreviated name or expression should be cited in full at first usage, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.

• Authors should provide a photograph, brief biography as well as contact information that will be published.

References

References in the text should be in the form Joy (2000) or Joy & Williams (2000). For three or more authors, use the form Echlin et al. (2000). The reference list should: • be listed in alphabetical order of first authors’ surnames.

• (where a journal is cited) - include authors’ surnames and initials, date of publication, title of paper, name of journal, volume number, and first and last page numbers.

• (where a book is cited) - include authors’ surnames and initials, title of book, year of publication, edition, followed by publisher and town, county/state (and country if necessary) of publication.

• (where a URL is cited) – include authors’ surnames and initials, year of publication, title of page, URL and date accessed.

Images / Figures • Figures can be one column/half page width, 65.5 mm or two column/full page width, 135 mm.

• Larger images may fill the page/spread. A full page of the magazine is 170 x 250 mm, a double page is 340 x 250 mm.

• Text in figures (labels, axis labels, legends, etc) should be Helvetica or Arial, 8pt size.

• Figure and table captions should be listed numerically at the end of the article text

• Text should be in a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman or Arial) at a size of 12 pt.

• Line weights and line strokes should have a maximum value of 1 and a minimum of 0.25.

• Articles should begin with a brief summary, which accurately summarises the content and is intelligible without reference to the text.

• For graphs and plots, whenever possible, please submit vectorized images.

• As much as possible, please avoid white spaces.

• Footnotes and appendices should not be used unless absolutely necessary.

• All images must be high resolution – 300dpi or more.

• The hierarchy of headings within the text should be clear.

• Submission files should be in CMYK format and can be supplied as tiff, jpeg or eps files.

• Spelling should conform with The Concise Oxford Dictionary and SI units must be used.

• Images MUST include scale bars or field widths where relevant.

Double page of magazine, 340 x 250mm (Trim size) 76

ISSUE 72 DECEMBER 2023

• Total number of images/figures/tables should not exceed 15 including tables.

Proofs

Prior to publication, authors will be sent a PDF of the article by email for approval.

Authors should ensure articles are thoroughly checked before submission – proof amendments should be limited to minor corrections only.

One column/half page width, 65.5mm Figure 1. Width of figure or table confined to one column.

Offprints Five hard copies of the issue in which the article is published will be sent to the author, together with an emailed PDF of the article.

Copyright Authors are requested to assign copyright to the RMS. However, authors may make copies of their own articles without seeking permission from the RMS, provided that such copies are for free distribution only (they must not be sold) and provided that infocus is properly acknowledged (issue number, month and page number should be given). Permission to reproduce material from infocus in other publications will not be given to third parties except with the consent of the authors concerned.

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyright material from other sources.

Approval for reproduction/modification of any material (including figures and tables) published elsewhere should be obtained by the authors before submission of the manuscript and the source of the material should be properly acknowledged. Authors are responsible for any copyright fee involved.

Authors are requested to complete and submit a signed copy of our copyright sign-off form. This is available on the RMS website (www.infocus.org.uk).

Two column/full page width, 135mm

Figure 2. Width of figure or table spanning full width of page.

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www.oemillumination.com