Super-resolution, low cost optical bio-nanoscope for direct virus imaging

Coronaviruses are threatening the lives of human being worldwide.

Understanding of coronaviruse interactions with cells and drugs is essential for the development of treatments and prevention of future pandemics.

LIG Nanowise Ltd will develop a new super-resolution, low cost optical microscope at 50 nm direct optical resolution that can see live viruses including coronavirus (60-140 nm in size) and their interactions with cells and drugs to accelerate drug discovery and diagnosis of diseases.

Current electron microscopes and other optical microscopes cannot visualise live viruses due to the requirement for vacuum operation or the injection of fluorescent materials into the viruses or low optical resolution (a theoretical resolution limit of 200 nm for standard optical microscopes).