William Amos is a biologist and the designer of optical instruments. William led a team that developed the mesolens, a microscope with a giant lens that can create three-dimensional images of the inside of cells at the same time as viewing the area as a whole. His technology has the potential to vastly improve the ease and accuracy of diagnostic examinations.
In collaboration with Esmond Reid, one of the United Kingdom’s top lens designers, William developed his unique device. Using large mirrors of up to 50 centimetres in width, the microscope creates finely detailed images that can be processed in seconds. The instrument is now being used to understand the progression of diseases such as cancer.
Since his retirement in 2010, William has continued his work at the University of Strathclyde to create new types of lenses. He has won several awards, including the Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement in 1991, and the prestigious Ernst Abbe Memorial Award for lifetime achievement from the New York Microscopical Society in 2005.
Subject groups
- Biochemistry and molecular cell biology
Cell biology (incl molecular cell biology)
- Other
History of science, Other interests
