Dr. Alex Booth

Alex completed his PhD studying organogenesis in the Drosophila embryo, utilising confocal and structured illumination (OMX) super-resolution microscopy. He then progressed to postdoctoral research where he made use of live-cell widefield fluorescence (Deltavision), confocal, super-resolution (OMX) microscopy alongside multi-photon optopharmacology and laser photoablation to probe the role of the cytoskeleton in mammalian and yeast mitosis. Whilst working as a postdoctoral researcher he was the point-of-contact for the laboratory Deltavision suite, engaging with engineers to implement upgrades and troubleshoot issues.

Sam got into microscopy as an undergraduate, using SEM and TEM to study leaf epiphytism. Following this, he worked for his PhD at University of Edinburgh and Zeneca, across formulation chemistry, microscopy and trials, predominantly using SEM, confocal, multiphoton and widefield microscopy to study the uptake of a drug to its target site on the mitochondrial bc1 complex. From there, he took up a position running the Imaging Facility at the University of Dundee, where he directed advanced imaging across the schools of life sciences, medicine and physics. Sam also headed the School's centre for advanced scientific technologies, which encompassed Advanced Imaging, FACS, X-ray crystallography, Proteomics and the Stem cell facility. On a practical level, he developed the University's Widefield deconvolution, OMX super resolution (of which they were an early adopter), FLIM, FRET, Spinning disk, multiphoton and deep tissue imaging, and Photokinetics resources. Sam also has a passion for equipment development and interdisciplinary research. He managed the Physics and Life Sciences interdisciplinary lab and co-led a recent Marie Curie ITN program of 13 students who variously worked on laser tweezers, light sheet and raman confocal. His own (brilliant) student developed ultra-fast semi conductor lasers for multiphoton applications. After 15 years Sam was ready for a fresh challenge and in 2018 was delighted to take the role of Applications Scientist with ImSol. He supports OMX, Deconvolution and Holographic Tomography as well as anything else where he can make a useful contribution.