As a researcher in the bio-imaging unit at Oxford Brookes, I’m currently part of a ground-breaking project which creates 3-D models of microscopic organisms and cells. We have been making these 3-D models by taking images through a microscope of organisms or individual cells and interpreting the data for a 3-D printer.

The result is a like-for-like, 3-D model of an organism several million times its normal size, which shows in detail what a micro-organism really looks like if you were to hold one in your hand. One of the benefits of this work is that it allows the public to literally get to grips with biology. In particular, it enables blind or partially sighted people to feel and understand miniature structures such as viruses and parasites in ways which haven’t been possible before.

The team recently exhibited the models at the Science Uncovered exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London and we had some very positive feedback from blind and partially sighted visitors as well as the general public.

Oxford Mail:

A 3-D model of an abstract molecule and dna. Being able to see microscopic structures is fundamental to understanding biology

A young woman who had been blind her entire life came to a private test session before Science Uncovered and said that she had never been able to do something like this or interact with a microscope before. She said she found the session really interesting.

As well as allowing people who can’t see screen images to appreciate microscopy, on a more scientific note it can help researchers interpret their own data.

Many researchers will have their own ideas about specific cells and organisms simply based on 2-D images or micrographs seen in a textbook. By giving them access to a 3-D model of an organism, their ideas change and understanding is strengthened because they can now see the full, true structure.

Being able to see microscopic structures is fundamental to understanding biology.

Without it, our understanding of cells and tissues would be far behind what we know today.

The team took their models to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s Great British Bioscience festival from November 14 to 16 in London.

This was an extremely prestigious event and to be invited to attend and share our science with the general public highlights the excellence of our bio-imaging unit.

Dr Louise Hughes, who runs the bioimaging unit at Brookes, was recently awarded a Passion in Science award by New England Biolabs Ltd.

This was great news for both the university and for our unit.

It helps establish that what we are doing is innovative and of interest to others and helps raise awareness of the excellent work going on within Oxford Brookes.