Photomicrography Winners Capture the Beauty of Research

This story is part of our celebration of innovation in 2024.

by Dana D’Amico, Connect to Science

Science is art and art is science in this Q+A series featuring the recent winners of our global microscopy imaging contest

 

Art and science are two sides of the same coin – lifelong pursuits driven by creativity, curiosity, and careful process.

The winners of the Thermo Fisher Scientific 2024 Microscopy Imaging Contest created stunning images that blend data and artistry and offer a unique glimpse into the body’s inner workings, from the brain to the gut.

Learn more about their research and approaches to microscopy imaging below.

Featured Winners

• Stuart Hodgetts, Neural network fibers in spinal cord injury
• Lindsey Avery Fitzsimons, Glomerular cells in rare kidney disorders
• Giuseppe Calà, Fetal lung organoids in congenital lung diseases
• Bruno Cisterna, Cytoskeleton of a neuroblastoma cell
• Darrek Kniffen, Colon tissue in inflammatory bowel disease

Stuart Hodgetts

University of Western Australia (UWA), Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science

Hodgetts uses a variety of stem cell, gene therapy, bio-engineering and neuroprotection strategies to repair the injured spinal cord. His winning entry, pictured above, shows one-month-old human neural network fibers (DcX positive, green) radiating from a central neurosphere (Hoescht, blue) with GAP43 (red) positive cells. 40x magnification, no processing.

• Follow Stuart on Scopus and Orcid

 

What draws your interest to the research areas of stem cell therapies and spinal cord repair?

I have been interested in stem cell biology as a transplantation strategy for 25 years now.

When I began working in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) repair in 2003, I started to use mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) isolated from human SCI patients as a strategy to replace damaged and/or missing neuronal tissue in animal models.  At that time, MPCs still held much promise as a therapeutic strategy.  Whilst their potential still holds true, the field has realized the challenges and limitations of this approach. These cells are not always able to deliver effective outcomes in terms of tissue repair or functional recovery by themselves.  Translation to the clinical setting has suffered because of this reality.

As a consequence, we and others adopted a combinatorial approach with other methods such as gene therapy, in vivo reprogramming, tissue engineering, and immunomodulation, as well as non-invasive pre-clinical therapies and strategies to enhance repair the injured spinal cord and reduce the loss of function that occurs following neurotrauma in both acute and chronic settings, beyond the capability of these cells alone.  I love a challenge, and this remains one of the greatest.

How do you approach telling the best story with the microscope and imaging tools at your disposal? What elements or challenges do you consider?

Fortunately, the fluorescence microscope has been able to confirm or reject the ideas that drive research at the very basic level. It has also provided more questions.  Revealing the honest truth about one’s work is facilitated to a large degree by this simple technique.  The ability of the image to reveal structural and interactive outcomes is key to this process and is inherently challenging.  A picture tells a thousand stories and asks thousands more.

Do you ever view microscopy images as a type of art, or an entry point to talk about your work with new or non-technical audiences?

I have been fortunate to work in an Institute that has housed many “bio-artists” and have worked closely with them over many years, holding the position as scientific consultant and collaborator.

Art and science are intertwined and actually never used to be considered as separate.  I believe this still holds true, and microscopy images reveal as much of an artistic and creative side in my work as the scientific.  This side of my work has allowed me to not only approach my scientific work in a different way, but also to be able to interact with a much wider audience than just a network of scientists including artists and the general community alike.  This ability is also a key part of dissemination of the work (or art) and one’s scientific responsibility to be able to communicate effectively to any audience.

Most useful Invitrogen product used in capturing this shot?

Beta III Tubulin antibodies especially, but all of the Invitrogen antibody range is of very high standard and reliable.

 

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Lindsey Avery Fitzsimons

University of Maine / University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fitzsimons’ winning entry reveals Sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene expression patterns in the glomerulus, a vital knotted ball of blood vessels in the kidney that filters blood into urine waste. Her PhD research sought to clarify the role of Sonic hedgehog protein, a molecule key for kidney tissue development and control of cellular cilia, in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The diseased glomerulus pictured at the heart of the image is actually Fitzsimons’ own. She had been studying cardiac development when an unexpected diagnosis of a rare genetic kidney disease changed the course of her research career. Cellular nuclei are stained in cyan. Magenta areas correspond to SHH expression and yellow to the presence of fibronectin-1, a structural protein that builds up in some types of CKD and impairs proper filtration.

• Follow Lindsey on Twitter/X and Instagram @LAF_in_the_LAB, ResearchGate, NCBI, or ORCID

• Learn more about the histology and imaging core facilities at the University of New England, where Lindsey captures her images

 

What draws your interest to this work?

During the final year of my PhD, I was diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney disease. Taking on this diagnosis and facing the necessary treatments ultimately ignited a growing curiosity in the molecular mechanisms of kidney and glomerular diseases and prompted a pivot in the primary topic of my research interests from the cell biology of developmental cardiology to investigating the genetic and molecular mechanisms contributing to chronic and acquired kidney and glomerular diseases.

My primary research organelle of interest in a tiny, cellular extension known as the primary cilium, a sensory organelle responsible for mediating cell-to-cell communications along with various cellular processes like differentiation, proliferation/apoptosis, cell survival, migration and polarity. Primary cilia were first discovered in the kidney over 100 years ago but were originally assumed to be vestigial in nature. Over the past 50 years, genetic mutations and damage to the structure of the primary cilia has been causally linked to a category of diseases called ciliopathies. This category of disease in ever-expanding and includes a wide variety of conditions such as obesity, osteoarthritis, some forms of cancer, and several congenital abnormalities/conditions/diseases like Joubert Syndrome (JS), Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS), and the polycystic kidney diseases (PKD, ADPKD, ARPKD).

The focus of my postdoctoral research training is centered around improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling glomerular (kidney) function, including those mediated by/through the primary cilium as well as mechanisms mediated by the sensory innervation of the glomerulus.

You trained as an artist before becoming a biologist. Can you share more about that – what type of art did you do, and what sparked your shift to science?

Yes, I trained as an artist first and a scientist second.

I was always very intimidated by science. As a young student I was motivated to get good grades as a perfectionist, and I shied away from the hard sciences early on because I was afraid of failing academically. Growing up, I was always drawn to art and being able to communicate as a visual learner.

I went to Skidmore College and double majored in art and art history. One of the prerequisite courses for figure drawing was anatomy and physiology; I failed the first exam miserably, but I was just totally invigorated and fascinated by human biology. It was the first scenario where I felt like I could safely be curious and integrate what something looks like with how it functions.

Back then, my medium of interest was printmaking – linocut, woodcut, and so on. There was something about layering each color in the printmaking process that is very similar to what you do when you image these cells and layer each channel on top of another. As I transitioned into science and discovered microscopy, I found it easier to interpret and visualize what I was seeing on a cellular level as reflected by the label colors.

Why do you feel strongly about the integration of art and visual communication in the sciences?

When I’m writing a paper or presenting research, I always want to have a visual schematic to help demonstrate my hypothesis. People understand pictures and pictures don’t have a language; they’re approachable and aesthetically pleasing, and they tend to draw people’s eyes. You can go to a scientific conference poster session and so many are just packed with text – but the last thing I want to do is go stand in front of a poster with size 12 font and try to understand what’s happening. Too often, that’s the standard.

In professional settings and on social media, you can use pictures to provide a narrative and tell a story, something that everyone can understand. I use my Instagram and presentations as opportunities to demonstrate the value of visual art across multidisciplinary audiences. Visual scientific communication is a skill not honored in the same way as publishing, but my hope is that someday it will be seen as just as valuable in your CV. It’s something that is relevant to all disciplines, a lifelong language.

Do you still create art in your free time?

When you’re an artistic person, I feel like you don’t ever really fully stop doing art. It just manifests in different ways. For me, the biggest way that I keep that part of my brain active is through microscopy. If I’m going through a period of a lot of data analysis and not much imaging, I have to go home and do something creative, whether that’s reimagining another slide or going home to make something out of fabric, just to get my brain back in “equilibrium.”

Most useful Invitrogen product used in capturing this shot?

The most useful reagents in these pivotal first imaging experiments were the secondary antibodies/Alexa fluorophores purchased through Invitrogen.

Kidney tissue is known to be more difficult to work with using immunofluorescence due to a higher level of endogenously autofluorescence, a challenge that can be further exacerbated with the added influence of/variability of FFPE fixation/tissue preparation methods. Procuring secondary antibodies that are both robust and provide specific signal with minimal background ultimately enabled a clear visualization of human kidney/glomerular tissue in a manner that helped us characterize our experimental variables of interest as a part of designing a larger, ongoing study.

 

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Giuseppe Calà

University College London

Calà’s winning entry shows a fetal lung organoid, a lab-grown stem cell model that functions as a microcosm of developing human lung. His work utilizes fetal fluids like amniotic and fetal tracheal fluid to isolate lung stem cells from ongoing pregnancies, a minimally invasive method to examine developing lungs at the cellular level. Fetal fluid-derived lung organoids are allowing researchers to better understand and treat rare congenital lung diseases like congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

The image was produced using a whole-mount immunostaining protocol and confocal imaging. Cell nuclei (cyan), cell membrane and airway basal cells (red), and moving hair-like cilia (orange) are visible in the shot.

• Follow Giuseppe on Twitter / X @giuseppecala94 and ResearchGate

• Learn more about the research on organoids from fetal fluids, recently published in Nature Medicine

 

What draws your interest to this research question in rare disease work and congenital lung conditions? 

Rare diseases affect just a small part of our population. I am particularly interested in studying prenatal and pediatric congenital defects, as the aberrant cellular mechanisms behind these diseases are poorly understood, leading to a lack of effective treatments.

My interest in this area comes from the significant impact these conditions have on affected children and their families. Understanding these mechanisms can lead to breakthroughs in treatment and prevention, which could dramatically improve the quality of life for many. Stem cell biology and regenerative medicine can offer a powerful solution to address this gap, and I believe this will benefit many children in the future.

How do you approach telling the best story with the microscope and imaging tools at your disposal? What elements or challenges do you consider?

Visualizing specific cellular processes that occur in the human body is challenging, especially when dealing with fetuses or children. My approach involves using lab-grown stem cell models and microscopy & imaging tools to create detailed representation of these processes.

Organoids are 3D “avatars” of human organs. They are generated in the lab from stem cells safely collected from the patient, allowing us to study complex cellular processes. In our recent work, we demonstrated that cells collected during an ongoing pregnancy can be used to generate organoids. This novel approach enabled us to study the fetus’ organs without touching the fetus! This way, processes such as the movement of lung cilia (as displayed in my image) can be easily investigated in both healthy and diseased conditions. Lastly, I aim to tell the best story by capturing images that not only provide scientific insights but also communicate the beauty and complexity of stem cell research.

Do you ever view microscopy images as a type of art, or perhaps an entry point to talk about your work with new or non-technical audiences?

Absolutely yes! I am always astonished by how microscopy is advancing, making science even more beautiful and artistic. I view microscopy images as a form of art that can captivate and engage a broad audience. Sharing these images with my non-scientist friends and the public helps them appreciate and enjoy my work, highlighting the artistic side of science. Importantly, this helps bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding, while also creating greater awareness of scientific research. Generating these stem cell models and these images takes weeks, and I think the result is quite rewarding in the end (especially when an experiment has worked successfully).

Most useful Invitrogen product used in capturing this shot?

Hoechst 33342 is fundamental to highlighting the cell nuclei. Also, secondary antibodies / Alexa fluorophores were pivotal for the imaging.

 

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Bruno Cisterna

Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Cisterna’s winning entry features a Cath.-a-differentiated (CAD) cell, which is a type of mouse neuroblastoma (brain tumor) cell with the ability to differentiate and form neuron-like processes without serum in culture medium. Differentiated CAD cells share key similarities with neurons, and their processes are used as a model for studying neurites. Cisterna’s work focuses on the cross-talk between the actin cytoskeleton and microtubules and their relationship with organelle transport in the brain.

• Follow Bruno on Twitter / X @CisternaBA, ResearchGate, or Google Scholar

 

What draws your interest to this research question and CAD cell work?

My research focuses on studying the cytoskeleton and its crosstalk in neurodegenerative diseases. Cytoskeletal dynamics are essential for processes like axonal transport, synaptic plasticity, and cellular signaling, all of which are vital for healthy neuronal activity. In neurodegenerative diseases, disruptions in these processes can lead to neuronal dysfunction and cell death.

Using CAD cells is particularly advantageous because they provide a robust and reproducible model for neuronal function and differentiation. CAD cells can be easily manipulated and cultured, offering a controlled environment to study the intricacies of cytoskeletal interactions. Additionally, they allow for high-throughput screening and detailed molecular analyses, which are essential for understanding the complex pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases. By leveraging CAD cells, we can gain valuable insights into the mechanisms of cytoskeletal dysregulation and identify potential therapeutic targets for treating these debilitating conditions.

How do you approach telling the best story with the microscope and imaging tools at your disposal? What elements or challenges do you consider?

In photomicrography, compelling stories require a blend of scientific rigor and artistic vision. My approach involves several key elements and considerations to ensure that each image communicates the scientific details accurately and captures the viewer’s imagination.

For example, the cornerstone of compelling photomicrography is a profound understanding of the subject. Before embarking on the image capture, I dedicate substantial time to grasping the subject’s intricacies—be it a cell, an organism, a disease, or a process. This involves extensive research into its biological significance and morphology. This knowledge guides me in anticipating the most revealing moments and structures.

The art of photomicrography also often demands patience. Capturing the perfect moment under the microscope, especially when dealing with dynamic cells and organisms or processes like cell division or molecular interactions, requires a keen sense of timing. This patience and attention to timing are essential for telling a dynamic story and ensuring that the images we present are informative and captivating.

Do you ever view microscopy images as a type of art, or perhaps an entry point to talk about your work with new or non-technical audiences?

Absolutely! Microscopy images can indeed be viewed as a type of art. These images often reveal stunning and intricate details of biological specimens, materials, and structures that are not visible to the naked eye. The vibrant colors, unique patterns, and complex textures captured in these images can be visually captivating and evoke a sense of wonder, making them a great entry point for discussing scientific work with new or non-technical audiences.

By presenting microscopy images as art, scientists can engage people’s curiosity and appreciation for beauty, providing a more accessible and relatable way to introduce complex scientific concepts. This approach can help bridge the gap between science and the general public, making the subject more appealing and understandable.

Most useful Invitrogen product used in capturing this shot?

Almost all reagents used in both culture and immunofluorescence were purchased from Invitrogen.

 

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Darrek Kniffen

University of British Columbia

Kniffen’s winning image shows a stained model mouse colon that lacks key protective mucus layer components called O-glycans (red). Impaired O-glycan function is implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which affects millions of people worldwide.

• Read Darrek’s latest publication in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and follow him on ResearchGate

 

 

What draws your interest to this research question in IBD modelling and therapeutics?

Glycosylation [the attachment of sugars to proteins] is an incredibly interesting and important process in the mammalian gut. Not only do the sugar residues protect essential mucus proteins like MUC2 from degradation by bacterial proteases, but there is a growing body of evidence that suggests these residues can also modulate the types of bacteria and the metabolic and phenotypic pathways. Complex O-Glycans, which make up roughly 80% of mature MUC2’s weight, rely on two main structures called Core 1 and Core 3 that act as scaffolding for other sugar residues. The loss of these essential core structures causes mucus in the gut to be easily degraded by microbes. Loss of sugar residues that are normally added to extending branches of sugars could also drive pro-inflammatory or virulent bacteria.

You mentioned learning this skill from scratch after encouragement from your advisor. Now that you’re obviously on the other side of the learning curve, what would you say are the biggest challenges for a beginner in microscopy? What pathways have opened up for you from learning this skill?

When I first started my PhD, my microscopy skills were basically non-existent. My PI really pushed me to get better and refine my skills at the entire workflow from tissue fixation to sectioning/staining and imaging.

I think one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you need to be ready to fail in the beginning. Just like any artform, there is a learning curve, and most people will need to refine their skills and technique to create beautiful imagery. But if you can look at your failures as learning experiences and keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will be an expert in the field before you know it!

Microscopy opens a lot of doors as a skillset and can allow you to take on collaborations and jobs that could be very diverse from your own experimental goals. Even just being able to help other lab members plan out experiments and choose things like fluorophores can be extremely rewarding.

How do you approach telling the best story with the microscope and imaging tools at your disposal?

I think the way to tell the best story possible with microscopy really starts with careful and thorough planning. In the best cases, you normally have 3 colors to work with – so being precise with contrast and considering what channels may be overlapping are both crucial when staining a slide and imaging. I think it’s also very important to play around and try things out, even if it’s not how things have been done before.

Do you ever view microscopy images as a type of art, or perhaps an entry point to talk about your work with new or non-technical audiences?

I absolutely look at microscopy as an artform. It is a blend of artistry, technical skill, and ability that lead to the images we see in publications and on posters. I often ask people outside of academics/research what they think of my images and I am often told that they look like an art piece.

Most useful Invitrogen product used in capturing this shot?

The WGA-preconjugates are awesome for goblet cell/mucus layer imaging!

 

Learn more about the winning microscope images »

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