A groundbreaking image of mouse brain tumor cells took top honors at the 2024 Nikon Small World Competition. At first glance, the image (seen below) might look like a sci-fi plant structure, but it’s actually the actin, microtubules, and nuclei of the cells. “This image reveals how disruptions in the cell’s cytoskeleton–the structural framework and ‘highways’ known as microtubules–can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s and ALS,” a press release explains.
The image was taken by Dr. Bruno Cisterna, with assistance from Dr. Eric Vitriol. Capturing the image took a considerable amount of patience for the Augusta University research scientists. “I spent about three months perfecting the staining process to ensure clear visibility of the cells,” Cisterna said. “After allowing five days for the cells to differentiate, I had to find the right field of view where the differentiated and non-differentiated cells interacted.This took about three hours of precise observation under the microscope to capture the right moment, involving many attempts and countless hours of work to get it just right.”
1st Place. Differentiated mouse brain tumor cells (actin, microtubules, and nuclei). Credit: Dr. Bruno Cisterna & Dr. Eric Vitriol / Nikon Small World
The Nikon Small World Competition celebrates its 50th year in 2024 with more than 2,100 entries submitted from 80 countries. Organizers call the awards the “leading forum for recognizing the art, proficiency, and photographic excellence involved in photomicrography.”
(Click on images to expand to expand their beauty.)
11th Place. Slime mold on a rotten twig with water droplets. Credit: Dr. Ferenc Halmos / Nikon Small WorldHonorable Mention. Autofluorescence in the face of a little two-spotted ladybird (Diomus notescens). Credit: Angus Rae / Nikon Small WorldHonorable Mention. Brine shrimp. Credit: Christopher Algar / Nikon Small WorldHonorable Mention. Transverse section of rachis (stem) of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). Credit: Dr. David Maitland / Nikon Small World David Maitland5th Place. Cluster of octopus (Octopus hummelincki) eggs. Credit: Thomas Barlow & Connor Gibbons / Nikon Small World 2nd Place. Electrical arc between a pin and a wire. Credit: Dr. Marcel Clemens / Nikon Small World7th Place. Cross section of European beach grass (Ammophila arenaria) leaf. Credit: Gerhard Vlcek / Nikon Small World 6th Place. Cribraria cancellata, also known as Dictydium cancellatum, slime mold from Finland. Credit: Henri Koskinen / Nikon Small World19th Place. Seed of a Silene plant. Credit: Alison Pollack / Nikon Small World Alison K. Pollack16th Place. Two water fleas (Daphnia sp.) with embryos (left) and eggs (right). Credit: Marek Miś / Nikon Small World 13th Place. Eyes of green crab spider (Diaea dorsata). Credit: Paweł Błachowicz / Nikon Small WorldImage of Distinction. Ladybug (Coccinellidae) on a clover (Trifolium repens). Credit: Dr. Marko Pende / Nikon Small WorldImage of Distinction. Prototrichia metallica, exceptionally nivicolous slime mold fruiting body. Credit: Timothy Boomer / Nikon Small World Timothy BoomerImage of Distinction. Anterior section of palm weevil. Credit: Dr. Sherif Abdallah Ahmed / Nikon Small World
Maria Yoder is a writer for Reynolds World News, covering politics, health, business, parenting, and finance. She's also a mom of two and an avid photographer. Her hobbies include hiking and watching TV shows with her husband.
