There were further complementary talks and activities on drawing, etching and ultra-modern microscopes to commemorate 350 years since the publication of Robert Hooke's Micrographia, the first fully-illustrated book of microscopy.

The day of activities open free to the public was called Seeing Closer, and featured observing and drawing of biological specimens under microscopes organised by the Gurdon Institute public engagement programme. Teams of Gurdon Institute researchers staffed the busy room, helping visitors aged 3 to 73 to focus on and identify samples, and then to make drawings.

Dr Helene Doerflinger, the Gurdon Institute's Public Engagement Officer and Wellcome Trust Research Associate said "Members of the public have really enjoyed having access to microscopes and being able to see the world closer".

Engaging the public with microscopy at the Royal Society