Professor Gail McConnell

Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

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Publications

Evaluating the protective effects of Aurodox in a murine model of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
McHugh Rebecca E, Rooney Liam M, Mark David R, Wale Kabo R, Clapperton Megan, McConnell Gail, Hoskisson Paul A, Douce Gillian R, Roe Andrew J
Antimicrobials and Resistance Vol 3 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00094-3
Oxygen microenvironments in E. coli biofilm nutrient transport channels : insights from complementary sensing approaches
Bottura Beatrice, McConnell Gail, Florek Lindsey, Smiley Marina, Martin Ross, Eana Ash, Dayton Hannah, Eckartt Kelly, Price-Whelan Alexa, Hoskisson Paul, Dietrich Lars, Rooney Liam
Microbiology (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001543
Printing cell embedded sacrificial strategy for microvasculature using degradable DNA biolubricant
Shi Jiezhong, Wan Yifei, Jia Haoyang, Skeldon Gregor, Cornelissen Dirk Jan, Wesencraft Katrina, Wu Junxi, McConnell Gail, Chen Quan, Liu Dongsheng, Shu Wenmiao
Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol 64 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202417510
A 3D-printed optical microscope for low-cost histological imaging
Christopher Jay, Craig Rebecca, McHugh Rebecca E, Roe Andrew J, Bauer Ralf, Patton Brian, McConnell Gail, Rooney Liam M
Journal of Microscopy (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1111/jmi.13398
Obtaining super-resolved images at the mesoscale through super-resolution radial fluctuations
Brown Mollie, Foylan Shannan, Rooney Liam M, Gould Gwyn, McConnell Gail
Journal of Biomedical Optics Vol 29 (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.29.12.126502
From freeze to function : optimised cryopreservation and mitochondrial analysis workflow for skeletal muscle biopsies
Wahid Maheen, Mackenzie Graeme, Rooney Liam M, Greig Justin C, McConnell Gail, Combet Emilie, Gray Stuart, Murray James T, Currie Susan, Gould Gwyn W, Cunningham Margaret R
BMC Methods Vol 1 (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s44330-024-00017-0

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Research Interests

The optical microscope is so important to biomedicine that it is used as an icon to symbolise all science, but in the age of lasers, computers, digital detectors and new photochemistry the basic design of this classic tool of research can be greatly improved. My research involves the development of new optical instruments and technologies for cell and tissue imaging: this includes linear and nonlinear optics, new light sources, and new ways of preparing the specimen for imaging that reveals more structural information than the light microscope can normally provide.

An example of my interests is the Mesolens, where we have redesigned the microscope so that internal details of every cell of the millions present in a biological specimen of more than 100 cubic millimeters in volume can be seen. Our microscope does not use an eyepiece for recording, since the image exceeds the power of the human eye to perceive detail: our image datasets from a volume specimen are typically hundreds of gigabytes in size. We specified the novel optics for screening transgenic mouse embryos to discover human genes that might produce congenital abnormalities, such as vascular disease, which affects approximately one in two hundred human births. However, we are now finding applications throughout bioscience, e.g. in neuroscience and developmental studies. At the Strathclyde Mesolab, a newly created MRC-supported facility, we are working with life, physical and computer scientists worldwide to explore applications of our current technology and to develop new mesoscopic imaging modes that will provide a new insight into development and disease.

Professional Activities

Strategic Themes - Bioimaging Workshop
Participant
17/9/2024
Strathclyde Optical Microscopy Course
Organiser
4/8/2024
ELMI
Organiser
4/6/2024
MBL Lightsheet Conference and Workshop
Participant
6/5/2024
Optica Webinar
Participant
7/11/2023
Searching for biomarkers of tonsillar disease
Contributor
7/11/2023

More professional activities

Projects

Imaging of fluorescent antibiotics in biofilms
McConnell, Gail (Principal Investigator)
05-Jan-2024 - 31-Jan-2024
Strathclyde Optical Microscopy Course - CoB funding
McConnell, Gail (Principal Investigator)
04-Jan-2024 - 09-Jan-2024
3D-printed transmissive adaptive optics for microscopy (BBSRC 23TRT)
Bauer, Ralf (Principal Investigator) Cunningham, Margaret Rose (Co-investigator) McConnell, Gail (Co-investigator)
01-Jan-2024 - 31-Jan-2025
Fluorescent Drugs for Difficult Bugs: Quantitative Imagin of Fluorescent Antibiotics to Track Antibiotic Uptake and Resistance in Biofilms
Rooney, Liam (Principal Investigator) McConnell, Gail (Co-investigator)
10-Jan-2024 - 28-Jan-2025
Industrial Case Account - University of Strathclyde 2023 | Walker, Lewis
McConnell, Gail (Principal Investigator) Patton, Brian (Co-investigator) Walker, Lewis (Research Co-investigator)
01-Jan-2023 - 01-Jan-2027
DTP 2224 University of Strathclyde | Copeland, Laura
McConnell, Gail (Principal Investigator) Patton, Brian (Co-investigator) Copeland, Laura (Research Co-investigator)
01-Jan-2023 - 01-Jan-2027

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Contact

Professor Gail McConnell
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

Email: g.mcconnell@strath.ac.uk
Tel: 548 3059