A microscope offering a unique window on the simplest forms of life has been officially unveiled in Sydney, as one of only two in the world.

The $1.5 million "Super Resolution" microscope redefines Australian science's notion of the extreme close-up, says University of Technology Sydney (UTS) vice chancellor Professor Ross Milbourne.

It was powerful enough to capture the subcellular structures of bacteria, and parasites, as well as their interactions with host cells, he said.

The microscope had a resolution twice as sharp as conventional devices, meaning scientists could also use it for research into ways to treat or block infectious disease-causing organisms.

It was officially launched on Thursday, as part the university's expanded Microstructural Analysis Unit and new Microbial Imaging Facility.

"(These) establish the UTS Faculty of Science as the microscopy solution specialist in Australia and possibly abroad," Prof Milbourne said in a statement.

"These two suites of advanced microscopy ... allow us to observe anything in any shape and form - it could be bacteria cells, biofilms, coral or determining the authenticity of a priceless piece of Monet's work."