The Enlightenment – how the 18th century changed science
Sapere aude, dare to know A few weeks ago, I gave a talk on microscopes in the 18th century […]
Resolution in a nutshell
You are standing at one end of a long road and myself and my friend are standing at the other […]
What’s possible & what’s probable – life on the Moon, alien octopus, & the Loch Ness monster
Our moon – known as Luna by the Romans and Selene by the Greeks – has always been considered uninhabited. […]
Bioluminescent microscopy – a rising star for live imaging
Bioluminescence is a natural process that occurs in a range of species. Marine vertebrates such as the angler fish (Melanocetus […]
The oldest lens in the world (or is it?)
Tucked away safely in the archive of the British Museum is a nondescript piece of rock crystal. It’s oval in […]
Eat, sleep, write, repeat – getting your book written
The highest mountain is the one you haven’t climbed yet. Writing a book is something that is on many peoples’ […]
How to make a mobile microscope
Recently I have been making an effort to get back to my biology roots and trying to think of ways […]
Eigengrau – why you don’t see nothing
One of my favourite quotes is that “some people close their eyes and all they see is darkness”. But did […]
Life as a science writer – how to get started
Writing is one of those weird areas where you don’t need any formal training or certification to do it, you […]
Demonic mirrors & the Troxler effect
Disclaimer: I love spooky things and I also love science – I’m not trying to ruin one with the other. […]