Microscopes are usually associated with science rather than art, but a new exhibition involving five University of Queensland researchers is demonstrating the beauty that can be found down the lens and in the lab.
The Incredible Inner Space exhibition, on display at Questacon in Canberra until the end of January 2012, showcases 28 images taken by scientists from research organisations across Australia.
The six images by UQ researchers represent projects seeking to provide a better understanding of the immune system, improve insecticides, deliver needleless vaccines and use natural structures to develop better man-made products.
“The images are stunning, but they are also important sources of data for researchers,” participating scientist Darren Brown from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience said.
“My image, Search and Destroy!, shows how an immune cell attacks foreign objects in the body, completely engulfing them so they can be broken down deep within the cell.
“This process helps keep the body free from infection, and allows us a better understanding of infectious disease and how we can fight it.”
The exhibition was organised by the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, which provides advanced microscopy equipment in six nodes nationwide, including one at UQ.
Images can be viewed online at – http://www.ammrf.org.au/innerspace/index.html
Media: Bronwyn Adams (07 3346 2134, b.adams@imb.uq.edu.au)
