Research
The Wolfson Bioimaging Facility underpins international-quality research across the University of Bristol and further afield.
By providing a broad range of advanced imaging technologies encompassing and linking light and electron microscopy, the Facility supports many research areas, including:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Science
- Cell Biology
- Infection and Immunity
- Nanoscience
- Neuroscience
-
Regenerative Medicine
- Synthetic Biology
Our users
Our user base currently encompasses over 350 researchers from a wide range of disciplines in the biomedical and physical sciences across the University. The impact and scope of the Wolfson Bioimaging Facility is seen in over 1250 research publications that include data acquired on our microscopes.
We advise and train researchers at all levels of their careers to optimise the use of our microscope systems and to process and analyse the data they generate.
Recent publication highlights
- Signal-induced recruitment and dispatchment in reconfigurable phase-separated protocell networks. Nature Chemistry 18: 1828-37 (2026)
- A clinical and experimental investigation of liraglutide effects on the brain-kidney axis. Science Advances DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aef4951 (2026)
- Endothelial-erythrocyte glycocalyx exchange enables liquid biopsies of endothelial function. Nat Communications. 17:3568. (2026)
- Microglia-independent rAAV-induced inflammation causes persistent ocular immune dysregulation rescued by S1P receptor modulation. Molecular Therapy DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2026.02.018 (2026)
- Record Carrier Diffusion Lengths in Large, Dense Nonfullerene Electron Acceptor Crystals Grown from Polar Aromatic Solvents. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 148:28881-92 (2026)
- Distinct roles for TANGO1S domains in maintaining ER-Golgi architecture. J. Cell Science doi: 10.1242/jcs.265001 (2026)
- Synaptic high-frequency jumping synchronises vision to high-speed behaviour. Nature Communications 17(1):3863. (2026)
- Intercellular mitochondrial transfer and trans-mitophagy in response to protein import dysfunction. J. Cell Biol. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202511211 (2026)
- Podocyte-directed VEGFC gene therapy prevents increased glomerular permeability and glycocalyx damage in experimental type 1 diabetes. Molecular Therapy 34(1):117-122. (2026)
- Cryo‐FIB Lift‐Out and Electron Tomography Workflow for Bacteria–Nanopillar Interface Imaging Under Native Conditions: Investigating Dragonfly Inspired Bactericidal Titanium Surfaces. Small Methods doi: 10.1002/smtd.70715. (2026)
- Reconfiguration of Multiphase Coacervate Droplets Into Self‐Regulated Nested Artificial Cells. Angewandte Chemie doi:10.1002/ange.9334343 (2026)
- Dynamics of Wound Closure in Living Nematic Epithelia. Physical Review Letters 136, 158402 (2026)
- The glomerular endothelial glycocalyx as a therapeutic target in proteinuric kidney disease. Nat. Rev. Nephrol. 22(3):229-241 (2026)
- LipoGels: Robust Self‐Lubricating Physically Cross‐Linked Alginate Hydrogels Embedded with Liposomes. Advanced Functional Materials DOI:10.1002/adfm.202514611 (2025)
- Identification of a RAB32-LRMDA-Commander membrane trafficking complex reveals the molecular mechanism of human oculocutaneous albinism type 7. Nature Communications 16: 8794 (2025)
- A longevity-associated variant of the human BPIFB4 gene prevents diastolic dysfunction in progeria mice. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 10:314 (2025)
- Construction of complex bacteriogenic protocells from living material assembly. Nature Protocols 20:2586-2617 (2025)