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June Almeida
1930–2007 · Virology and electron microscopy
June Almeida pioneered electron microscopy methods that helped scientists see and identify viruses, including the viruses later named coronaviruses.
Why is this scientist famous?
June Almeida pioneered methods for using electron microscopes to study viruses. Her detailed images helped identify viruses that had been difficult to see, including the viruses later grouped under the name coronaviruses.
Electron microscopy and related imaging methods remain important tools in virology. Almeida’s work helped researchers recognise viral structures, compare viruses and improve laboratory diagnosis. Later molecular tests added new ways to identify viruses, but her images and methods helped establish what scientists were looking for.
June's story
From Glasgow hospital work to virus research
June Hart grew up in Glasgow and left school at 16. University was not financially possible, so she began work as a laboratory technician at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, examining tissue samples. She later worked at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. After marrying Henry Almeida, she moved with him to Canada and joined the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto. There she developed expertise in electron microscopy, a technique that uses electrons rather than visible light to form images of extremely small structures.
Making viruses easier to see
At the time, scientists could grow some viruses but could not always distinguish them clearly under the microscope. Almeida refined negative staining, which stains the background around a specimen so that its shape stands out. She also used immune electron microscopy: antibodies bind to matching virus particles, making them clump together and easier to identify. These techniques turned careful sample preparation into a powerful diagnostic aid.
Seeing rubella and respiratory viruses
Almeida produced the first clear electron-microscope images of rubella virus, even though the disease was already known from its effects on patients. In the 1960s she worked with David Tyrrell and other researchers studying respiratory viruses grown in organ cultures. Their 1967 paper described the shapes of three previously uncharacterised viruses. A later group of virologists proposed the family name “coronaviruses” in 1968, referring to the crown-like fringe visible in electron micrographs. Almeida was a central imaging expert in this work, not the sole discoverer of every virus in the group.
Images that helped other laboratories
Her methods also contributed to research on hepatitis viruses. Almeida’s images helped distinguish structures associated with hepatitis B, and she taught immune electron microscopy to virologists including Albert Kapikian. Kapikian’s group later used the method to identify viruses associated with outbreaks of gastroenteritis. This is an example of a scientific tool spreading through teaching and collaboration: Almeida’s contribution enabled other researchers to make their own findings.
A career beyond one discovery
Almeida returned to Britain in 1964 and worked with Tyrrell at St Thomas’s Hospital and later at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School. In 1971, the University of London awarded her a Doctor of Science degree based on her publications. After retiring in 1985, she qualified as a yoga teacher and worked with antiques, but returned to advise on electron microscopy and help produce early high-quality images of HIV. Her career shows how practical laboratory skill and a willingness to improve methods can shape an entire field.
What did they discover?
Negative-staining electron microscopy
Refined sample preparation with Allan Howatson so virus particles could be seen more clearly against a stained background.
Immune electron microscopy
Used antibodies to cluster matching virus particles, helping identify viruses in clinical and research samples.
Rubella imaging
Produced the first clear images of rubella virus, advancing understanding of a virus already linked to congenital harm.
Respiratory-virus morphology
Worked with David Tyrrell and colleagues to describe previously uncharacterised respiratory viruses; the later naming of coronaviruses was a group contribution.
Training and knowledge transfer
Taught other virologists imaging techniques that supported later identification of viruses, including agents associated with gastroenteritis.
Amazing facts
Almeida left school at 16 because she could not afford university, yet became an internationally recognised virologist through laboratory work and publication.
Her first hospital job was in histopathology, examining tissues rather than studying viruses.
Negative staining made the background dark while leaving the object of interest relatively light, helping its shape stand out in an electron micrograph.
In immune electron microscopy, antibodies acted like molecular labels: they bound to matching virus particles and caused visible clumping.
Rubella was already known as a disease before Almeida made its virus visible with an electron microscope.
The word “coronavirus” refers to a crown-like ring of projections seen around virus particles in electron micrographs.
The 1967 paper on respiratory viruses was co-authored with David Tyrrell; the paper’s publication date was 1 April 1967.
After retiring from laboratory work, Almeida qualified as a yoga teacher and also became involved in restoring and trading antiques.
In the late 1980s she returned to electron microscopy in an advisory role and helped produce early high-quality images of HIV.
Timeline
Born June Hart in Glasgow, Scotland
Leaves school and begins laboratory work at Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Moves to Canada and joins the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto (early 1950s)
Returns to Britain to work with virologist A. P. Waterson’s group
Almeida and David Tyrrell’s paper on three previously uncharacterised respiratory viruses is published
Almeida is among eight virologists who describe the coronavirus group and propose its name
The University of London awards Almeida a Doctor of Science degree based on her publications
Retires from her main laboratory career
Returns in an advisory role and contributes to high-quality HIV electron micrographs (late 1980s)
Dies in Bexhill-on-Sea, England
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Sources & references
- June Almeida (née Hart)
- Almeida and Tyrrell, “The Morphology of Three Previously Uncharacterized Human Respiratory Viruses that Grow in Organ Culture,” Journal of General Virology (published 1 April 1967)
- Archive of the life and work of pioneering virologist Dr June Almeida, Science Museum Group Collection
- Almeida and Howatson, “A Negative Staining Method for Cell-Associated Virus,” The Journal of Cell Biology (1963; primary paper)
- June Almeida, PhD, AWIS Historical Women