Speaker: Dave Clarke (CLF, UK)

Infectious diseases of humans, animals, and plants have very significant societal and economic impacts. The COVID-19 pandemic is an obvious example, and another major threat is the increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Climate change is bringing increasing pressure on crops, making them more susceptible to diseases, with potentially serious consequences for food supplies.

Optical microscopy techniques have made a significant impact across many areas of human, animal, and plant biology, and research into infectious disease is no exception. In this talk Dave Clarke (CLF) will give an overview of some of the latest laser-based optical microscopy methods, and show examples from the Central Laser Facility’s research programme showing how they are providing valuable insights into the biology underlying infectious disease, and helping point the way to new treatments.