Princeton University hosts
'The Art of Science' competition in which scientists submit "imagery produced in the course of research." The results are pretty fantastic.
Purkinje NeuronsDmitry Sarkisov GS
Department of Physics
This is a composite image of five Purkinje neurons from the rat cerebellum, in the back of the brain.
Cryptic CoalitionTrond H. Larsen GS
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
In addition to cryptic coloration allowing them to blend in with the tree trunk, these Peruvian caterpillars fool their enemies by foraging together in a large group.
I get the blues: on the neurobiology of depressionBarry L. Jacobs (faculty) and Casimir A. Fornal (research scholar)
Princeton Neuroscience Institute
In 2000, we proposed a theory: that changes in brain cell production in the dentate gyrus were important elements in the descent into, and recovery from, human clinical depression. This image shows hundreds of glial cells stained for a marker protein known as GFAP. The staining uses immunocytochemistry (immunoperoxidase with diaminobenzidine).
Semiconducting FeathersR. R. Lunt '09
Department of Chemical Engineering
Organic electronics is an emerging field that holds promise for high-quality displays, low-power white lighting, and low-cost photovoltaic applications. This image of an organic semiconducting film was taken using an optical microscope with cross-polarizers and a Nomarski filter.
Metadherin Expression at 10.5 Days Post ConceptionHalley Mellor (graduate student)
Department of Molecular Biology
The transformation of a fertilized egg into a functional organism requires an intricate pattern of signaling within and between the cells of the growing animal. Cancer can result later in life when these same tools are co-opted by a cell in order to escape the normal restrictions on growth.
Individually Marked AntsStephen Pratt
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
THIRD PRIZE WINNER
Ant colonies show remarkably coordinated behavior, despite lacking any direction from a well-informed central controller.
SnowShufeng Bai GS
Department of Electrical Engineering
An optical micrograph of self-assembled pattern in polymer thin film. When a polymer film is heated above its glass transition temperature and a mask is placed at a small distance above the film, the interplay between electrostatic force and surface tension can create interesting patterns.