Striking images from laboratories at UCL and Cancer Research
UK's London Research Institute (now part of the Francis Crick
Institute) are among the winning entries in this
year's Wellcome Image Awards on show at the Wellcome Collection in
London.
The microscopic detail of blood clotting on a sticking-plaster,
surgeons carrying out keyhole surgery, computer-simulated images of
brain cells, a mouse retina, the different nerve cells of a
cavefish, and the retina of a zebrafish were picked out by a panel
of judges from images acquired by the Wellcome Images picture
library over the past 18 months.
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The winning images are on show at the Wellcome Collection on
Euston Road until 10 July 2011.
The electron microscopist behind the image of the blood on the
plaster is Anne Weston from Cancer Research UK's London Research
Institute. She uses techniques such as transmission electron
microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy.
Anne normally concentrates on imaging various types of cancer
cell; but she explains: "We do have work experience pupils come to
us on occasion and we look at cells and discuss the work we do.
It's always interesting for them to get the chance to view
something that is more 'everyday' and therefore something that they
can more easily relate to and get an idea of the scale of
magnification - hopefully, leaving them with an interest in an area
of science that they may not have previously considered."
Hermann Cuntz, a theoretical neuroscientist, has been working in
Michael Häusser's group at UCL since 2005. Together they created a
computer simulation of brain cells indistinguishable from those
found in the real biological brain. Hermann works closely with
researchers to better understand the relationship between anatomy,
network connectivity and computation in the brain: "I have always
been particularly fascinated by the tree-like branching structures
of brain cells. In many cases it is possible to interpret the
function of entire neural circuits from their beautiful
shapes."
Imaging will play an important role at UKCMRI helping scientists
to examine and understand the structures that underpin biology.
"Extraordinary beauty and startling images are revealed by research
everyday," explained John Cooper, Chief Operating Officer at
UKCMRI. "The Wellcome Image awards recognise the artistry and
creativity involved in advancing our knowledge of the world around
us."