The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease among younger populations is increasing globally, prompting intensified research efforts to better comprehend the condition and identify new therapeutic approaches. The British Society of Gastroenterology reports that over half a million individuals in the UK have IBD, with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis representing the primary forms. While IBD can emerge at various life stages, diagnosis typically occurs between ages 15 and 40, significantly impacting education, employment, and personal relationships during formative years.
A newly operational microscope at the Rosalind Franklin Institute at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire may provide critical insights into IBD and similar conditions. The instrument, nicknamed “Curie,” operates at 10 times the resolution of standard light microscopy, enabling visualization of structures as small as 20nm. The technology employs stimulated emission depletion microscopy, a technique recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014, which uses two laser beams to achieve exceptional clarity and resolution of cellular structures.
The microscope features unique capabilities that make it the only apparatus of its kind currently in the UK. These include deformable mirrors that compensate for optical distortions within thick tissue samples and a temperature-controlled stage that allows researchers to examine living cells and mini-organs under conditions approximating normal body temperature. Researchers are utilizing the equipment to investigate how cells lining internal organs, particularly the intestines, form protective barriers and how specific protein complexes evolve from fetal development through adulthood.
The instrument’s unveiling accompanied an announcement of £67m in funding for the Rosalind Franklin Institute over the next five years from April 2027, along with £90m for the Henry Royce Institute during the same period. This funding derives from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council through the core budget of UK Research and Innovation from the 2025 spending review. The announcement occurs amid financial pressures affecting other UK science facilities, which collectively face significant budget constraints due to operational costs and other economic factors.
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