Generative AI has made it trivial to generate fake microscopy images that are indistinguishable from real images, even for experts. As researchers in nanoscience, it is time for us to face this reality and discuss strategies to conserve the integrity of our discipline.
Dr. Quinn A. Besford heads the Functional Polymer Architectures group at the Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung (IPF) Dresden, Germany. He received his PhD in theoretical/physical chemistry (2016) from The University of Melbourne (UoM), Australia, specialising in statistical mechanics. He subsequently worked with Prof. Frank Caruso in the ARC Centre of Excellence in Bio-Nano Science and Technology at UoM, specialising on the development of new nanomaterials for therapeutic applications. He transitioned to IPF in Germany in 2019 as an Alexander von Humboldt research fellow (Ludwig Leichhardt Memorial Fellowship), before being promoted to Group Leader. His research team focuses on developing functional polymeric materials for sensing, which leverages fluorescence methods, and nanoparticle systems for therapeutic applications, mainly focused on in-blood interactions. His work has been internationally recognised through the 2022 IPF Innovation Award, nomination to the STS Forum in Japan (2023), being named to the journal Matter’s “35 under 35 materials scientists in 2024”, and being selected as one of 15 polymer engineers from Germany to attend the first Japan-Germany Frontiers in Polymer Engineering Symposium as speaker (Tokyo, Japan, 2025).
Generative AI has made it trivial to generate fake microscopy images that are indistinguishable from real images, even for experts. As researchers in nanoscience, it is time for us to face this reality and discuss strategies to conserve the integrity of our discipline.
Dr. Quinn A. Besford heads the Functional Polymer Architectures group at the Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung (IPF) Dresden, Germany. He received his PhD in theoretical/physical chemistry (2016) from The University of Melbourne (UoM), Australia, specialising in statistical mechanics. He subsequently worked with Prof. Frank Caruso in the ARC Centre of Excellence in Bio-Nano Science and Technology at UoM, specialising on the development of new nanomaterials for therapeutic applications. He transitioned to IPF in Germany in 2019 as an Alexander von Humboldt research fellow (Ludwig Leichhardt Memorial Fellowship), before being promoted to Group Leader. His research team focuses on developing functional polymeric materials for sensing, which leverages fluorescence methods, and nanoparticle systems for therapeutic applications, mainly focused on in-blood interactions. His work has been internationally recognised through the 2022 IPF Innovation Award, nomination to the STS Forum in Japan (2023), being named to the journal Matter’s “35 under 35 materials scientists in 2024”, and being selected as one of 15 polymer engineers from Germany to attend the first Japan-Germany Frontiers in Polymer Engineering Symposium as speaker (Tokyo, Japan, 2025).
