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This is a searchable collection of scientific photos, illustrations, and videos. The images and videos in this gallery are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial ShareAlike 3.0. This license lets you remix, tweak, and build upon this work non-commercially, as long as you credit and license your new creations under identical terms.

3549: TonB protein in gram-negative bacteria
3549: TonB protein in gram-negative bacteria
The green in this image highlights a protein called TonB, which is produced by many gram-negative bacteria, including those that cause typhoid fever, meningitis and dysentery. TonB lets bacteria take up iron from the host's body, which they need to survive. More information about the research behind this image can be found in a Biomedical Beat Blog posting from August 2013.
Phillip Klebba, Kansas State University
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3429: Enzyme transition states
3429: Enzyme transition states
The molecule on the left is an electrostatic potential map of the van der Waals surface of the transition state for human purine nucleoside phosphorylase. The colors indicate the electron density at any position of the molecule. Red indicates electron-rich regions with negative charge and blue indicates electron-poor regions with positive charge. The molecule on the right is called DADMe-ImmH. It is a chemically stable analogue of the transition state on the left. It binds to the enzyme millions of times tighter than the substrate. This inhibitor is in human clinical trials for treating patients with gout. This image appears in Figure 4, Schramm, V.L. (2011) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 80:703-732.
Vern Schramm, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
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3733: A molecular interaction network in yeast 3
3733: A molecular interaction network in yeast 3
The image visualizes a part of the yeast molecular interaction network. The lines in the network represent connections among genes (shown as little dots) and different-colored networks indicate subnetworks, for instance, those in specific locations or pathways in the cell. Researchers use gene or protein expression data to build these networks; the network shown here was visualized with a program called Cytoscape. By following changes in the architectures of these networks in response to altered environmental conditions, scientists can home in on those genes that become central "hubs" (highly connected genes), for example, when a cell encounters stress. They can then further investigate the precise role of these genes to uncover how a cell's molecular machinery deals with stress or other factors. Related to images 3730 and 3732.
Keiichiro Ono, UCSD
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3440: Transcription factor Sox17 controls embryonic development of certain internal organs
3440: Transcription factor Sox17 controls embryonic development of certain internal organs
During embryonic development, transcription factors (proteins that regulate gene expression) govern the differentiation of cells into separate tissues and organs. Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center used mice to study the development of certain internal organs, including the liver, pancreas, duodenum (beginning part of the small intestine), gall bladder and bile ducts. They discovered that transcription factor Sox17 guides some cells to develop into liver cells and others to become part of the pancreas or biliary system (gall bladder, bile ducts and associated structures). The separation of these two distinct cell types (liver versus pancreas/biliary system) is complete by embryonic day 8.5 in mice. The transcription factors PDX1 and Hes1 are also known to be involved in embryonic development of the pancreas and biliary system. This image shows mouse cells at embryonic day 10.5. The green areas show cells that will develop into the pancreas and/or duodenum(PDX1 is labeled green). The blue area near the bottom will become the gall bladder and the connecting tubes (common duct and cystic duct) that attach the gall bladder to the liver and pancreas (Sox17 is labeled blue). The transcription factor Hes1 is labeled red. The image was not published. A similar image (different plane of the section) was published in: Sox17 Regulates Organ Lineage Segregation of Ventral Foregut Progenitor Cells Jason R. Spence, Alex W. Lange, Suh-Chin J. Lin, Klaus H. Kaestner, Andrew M. Lowy, Injune Kim, Jeffrey A. Whitsett and James M. Wells, Developmental Cell, Volume 17, Issue 1, 62-74, 21 July 2009. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2009.05.012
James M. Wells, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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3580: V. Cholerae Biofilm
3580: V. Cholerae Biofilm
Industrious V. cholerae bacteria (yellow) tend to thrive in denser biofilms (left) while moochers (red) thrive in weaker biofilms (right). More information about the research behind this image can be found in a Biomedical Beat Blog posting from February 2014.
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2374: Protein from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicam
2374: Protein from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicam
A knotted protein from an archaebacterium called Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicam. This organism breaks down waste products and produces methane gas. Protein folding theory previously held that forming a knot was beyond the ability of a protein, but this structure, determined at Argonne's Structural Biology Center, proves differently. Researchers theorize that this knot stabilizes the amino acid subunits of the protein.
Midwest Center For Structural Genomics, PSI
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3446: Biofilm blocking fluid flow
3446: Biofilm blocking fluid flow
This time-lapse movie shows that bacterial communities called biofilms can create blockages that prevent fluid flow in devices such as stents and catheters over a period of about 56 hours. This video was featured in a news release from Princeton University.
Bonnie Bassler, Princeton University
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3363: Dopamine D3 receptor
3363: Dopamine D3 receptor
The receptor is shown bound to an antagonist, eticlopride
Raymond Stevens, The Scripps Research Institute
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2714: Stretch detectors
2714: Stretch detectors
Muscles stretch and contract when we walk, and skin splits open and knits back together when we get a paper cut. To study these contractile forces, researchers built a three-dimensional scaffold that mimics tissue in an organism. Researchers poured a mixture of cells and elastic collagen over microscopic posts in a dish. Then they studied how the cells pulled and released the posts as they formed a web of tissue. To measure forces between posts, the researchers developed a computer model. Their findings--which show that contractile forces vary throughout the tissue--could have a wide range of medical applications.
Christopher Chen, University of Pennsylvania
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6591: Cell-like compartments from frog eggs 4
6591: Cell-like compartments from frog eggs 4
Cell-like compartments that spontaneously emerged from scrambled frog eggs, with nuclei (blue) from frog sperm. Endoplasmic reticulum (red) and microtubules (green) are also visible. Image created using confocal microscopy.
For more photos of cell-like compartments from frog eggs view: 6584, 6585, 6586, 6592, and 6593.
For videos of cell-like compartments from frog eggs view: 6587, 6588, 6589, and 6590.
Xianrui Cheng, Stanford University School of Medicine.
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6899: Epithelial cell migration
6899: Epithelial cell migration
High-resolution time lapse of epithelial (skin) cell migration and wound healing. It shows an image taken every 13 seconds over the course of almost 14 minutes. The images were captured with quantitative orientation-independent differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope (left) and a conventional DIC microscope (right).
More information about the research that produced this video can be found in the Journal of Microscopy paper “An Orientation-Independent DIC Microscope Allows High Resolution Imaging of Epithelial Cell Migration and Wound Healing in a Cnidarian Model” by Malamy and Shribak.
More information about the research that produced this video can be found in the Journal of Microscopy paper “An Orientation-Independent DIC Microscope Allows High Resolution Imaging of Epithelial Cell Migration and Wound Healing in a Cnidarian Model” by Malamy and Shribak.
Michael Shribak, Marine Biological Laboratory/University of Chicago.
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2453: Seeing signaling protein activation in cells 03
2453: Seeing signaling protein activation in cells 03
Cdc42, a member of the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) proteins, regulates multiple cell functions, including motility, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell morphology. In order to fulfill these diverse roles, the timing and location of Cdc42 activation must be tightly controlled. Klaus Hahn and his research group use special dyes designed to report protein conformational changes and interactions, here in living neutrophil cells. Warmer colors in this image indicate higher levels of activation. Cdc42 looks to be activated at cell protrusions.
Related to images 2451, 2452, and 2454.
Related to images 2451, 2452, and 2454.
Klaus Hahn, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Medical School
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3756: Protective membrane and membrane proteins of the dengue virus visualized with cryo-EM
3756: Protective membrane and membrane proteins of the dengue virus visualized with cryo-EM
Dengue virus is a mosquito-borne illness that infects millions of people in the tropics and subtropics each year. Like many viruses, dengue is enclosed by a protective membrane. The proteins that span this membrane play an important role in the life cycle of the virus. Scientists used cryo-EM to determine the structure of a dengue virus at a 3.5-angstrom resolution to reveal how the membrane proteins undergo major structural changes as the virus matures and infects a host. For more on cryo-EM see the blog post Cryo-Electron Microscopy Reveals Molecules in Ever Greater Detail. You can watch a rotating view of the dengue virus surface structure in video 3748.
Hong Zhou, UCLA
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6351: CRISPR
6351: CRISPR
RNA incorporated into the CRISPR surveillance complex is positioned to scan across foreign DNA. Cryo-EM density from a 3Å reconstruction is shown as a yellow mesh.
NRAMM National Resource for Automated Molecular Microscopy http://nramm.nysbc.org/nramm-images/ Source: Bridget Carragher
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2369: Protein purification robot in action 01
2369: Protein purification robot in action 01
A robot is transferring 96 purification columns to a vacuum manifold for subsequent purification procedures.
The Northeast Collaboratory for Structural Genomics
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3288: Smooth muscle from human ES cells
3288: Smooth muscle from human ES cells
These smooth muscle cells were derived from human embryonic stem cells. The nuclei are stained blue, and the proteins of the cytoskeleton are stained green. Image and caption information courtesy of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Alexey Terskikh lab, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, via CIRM
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2607: Mouse embryo showing Smad4 protein
2607: Mouse embryo showing Smad4 protein
This eerily glowing blob isn't an alien or a creature from the deep sea--it's a mouse embryo just eight and a half days old. The green shell and core show a protein called Smad4. In the center, Smad4 is telling certain cells to begin forming the mouse's liver and pancreas. Researchers identified a trio of signaling pathways that help switch on Smad4-making genes, starting immature cells on the path to becoming organs. The research could help biologists learn how to grow human liver and pancreas tissue for research, drug testing and regenerative medicine. In addition to NIGMS, NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases also supported this work.
Kenneth Zaret, Fox Chase Cancer Center
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2539: Chromosome inside nucleus
2539: Chromosome inside nucleus
The long, stringy DNA that makes up genes is spooled within chromosomes inside the nucleus of a cell. (Note that a gene would actually be a much longer stretch of DNA than what is shown here.) See image 2540 for a labeled version of this illustration. Featured in The New Genetics.
Crabtree + Company
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3658: Electrostatic map of human spermine synthase
3658: Electrostatic map of human spermine synthase
From PDB entry 3c6k, Crystal structure of human spermine synthase in complex with spermidine and 5-methylthioadenosine.
Emil Alexov, Clemson University
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5838: Color coding of the Drosophila brain - image
5838: Color coding of the Drosophila brain - image
This image results from a research project to visualize which regions of the adult fruit fly (Drosophila) brain derive from each neural stem cell. First, researchers collected several thousand fruit fly larvae and fluorescently stained a random stem cell in the brain of each. The idea was to create a population of larvae in which each of the 100 or so neural stem cells was labeled at least once. When the larvae grew to adults, the researchers examined the flies’ brains using confocal microscopy. With this technique, the part of a fly’s brain that derived from a single, labeled stem cell “lights up. The scientists photographed each brain and digitally colorized its lit-up area. By combining thousands of such photos, they created a three-dimensional, color-coded map that shows which part of the Drosophila brain comes from each of its ~100 neural stem cells. In other words, each colored region shows which neurons are the progeny or “clones” of a single stem cell. This work established a hierarchical structure as well as nomenclature for the neurons in the Drosophila brain. Further research will relate functions to structures of the brain.
Related to image 5868 and video 5843
Related to image 5868 and video 5843
Yong Wan from Charles Hansen’s lab, University of Utah. Data preparation and visualization by Masayoshi Ito in the lab of Kei Ito, University of Tokyo.
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6518: Biofilm formed by a pathogen
6518: Biofilm formed by a pathogen
A biofilm is a highly organized community of microorganisms that develops naturally on certain surfaces. These communities are common in natural environments and generally do not pose any danger to humans. Many microbes in biofilms have a positive impact on the planet and our societies. Biofilms can be helpful in treatment of wastewater, for example. This dime-sized biofilm, however, was formed by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Under some conditions, this bacterium can infect wounds that are caused by severe burns. The bacterial cells release a variety of materials to form an extracellular matrix, which is stained red in this photograph. The matrix holds the biofilm together and protects the bacteria from antibiotics and the immune system.
Scott Chimileski, Ph.D., and Roberto Kolter, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School.
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3498: Wound healing in process
3498: Wound healing in process
Wound healing requires the action of stem cells. In mice that lack the Sept2/ARTS gene, stem cells involved in wound healing live longer and wounds heal faster and more thoroughly than in normal mice. This confocal microscopy image from a mouse lacking the Sept2/ARTS gene shows a tail wound in the process of healing. See more information in the article in Science.
Related to images 3497 and 3500.
Related to images 3497 and 3500.
Hermann Steller, Rockefeller University
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6590: Cell-like compartments emerging from scrambled frog eggs 4
6590: Cell-like compartments emerging from scrambled frog eggs 4
Cell-like compartments that spontaneously emerged from scrambled frog eggs, with nuclei (blue) from frog sperm. Endoplasmic reticulum (red) and microtubules (green) are also visible. Video created using confocal microscopy.
For more photos of cell-like compartments from frog eggs view: 6584, 6585, 6586, 6591, 6592, and 6593.
For videos of cell-like compartments from frog eggs view: 6587, 6588, 6589.
Xianrui Cheng, Stanford University School of Medicine.
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2636: Computer model of cell membrane
2636: Computer model of cell membrane
A computer model of the cell membrane, where the plasma membrane is red, endoplasmic reticulum is yellow, and mitochondria are blue. This image relates to a July 27, 2009 article in Computing Life.
Bridget Wilson, University of New Mexico
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3428: Antitoxin GhoS (Illustration 2)
3428: Antitoxin GhoS (Illustration 2)
Structure of the bacterial antitoxin protein GhoS. GhoS inhibits the production of a bacterial toxin, GhoT, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance. GhoS is the first known bacterial antitoxin that works by cleaving the messenger RNA that carries the instructions for making the toxin. More information can be found in the paper: Wang X, Lord DM, Cheng HY, Osbourne DO, Hong SH, Sanchez-Torres V, Quiroga C, Zheng K, Herrmann T, Peti W, Benedik MJ, Page R, Wood TK. A new type V toxin-antitoxin system where mRNA for toxin GhoT is cleaved by antitoxin GhoS. Nat Chem Biol. 2012 Oct;8(10):855-61. Related to 3427.
Rebecca Page and Wolfgang Peti, Brown University and Thomas K. Wood, Pennsylvania State University
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3445: Dividing cell in metaphase
3445: Dividing cell in metaphase
This image of a mammalian epithelial cell, captured in metaphase, was the winning image in the high- and super-resolution microscopy category of the 2012 GE Healthcare Life Sciences Cell Imaging Competition. The image shows microtubules (red), kinetochores (green) and DNA (blue). The DNA is fixed in the process of being moved along the microtubules that form the structure of the spindle.
The image was taken using the DeltaVision OMX imaging system, affectionately known as the "OMG" microscope, and was displayed on the NBC screen in New York's Times Square during the weekend of April 20-21, 2013. It was also part of the Life: Magnified exhibit that ran from June 3, 2014, to January 21, 2015, at Dulles International Airport.
The image was taken using the DeltaVision OMX imaging system, affectionately known as the "OMG" microscope, and was displayed on the NBC screen in New York's Times Square during the weekend of April 20-21, 2013. It was also part of the Life: Magnified exhibit that ran from June 3, 2014, to January 21, 2015, at Dulles International Airport.
Jane Stout in the laboratory of Claire Walczak, Indiana University, GE Healthcare 2012 Cell Imaging Competition
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5762: Panorama view of golden mitochondria
5762: Panorama view of golden mitochondria
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cells, generating the energy the cells need to do their tasks and to stay alive. Researchers have studied mitochondria for some time because when these cell organelles don't work as well as they should, several diseases develop. In this photograph of cow cells taken with a microscope, the mitochondria were stained in bright yellow to visualize them in the cell. The large blue dots are the cell nuclei and the gray web is the cytoskeleton of the cells.
Torsten Wittmann, University of California, San Francisco
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3638: HIV, the AIDS virus, infecting a human cell
3638: HIV, the AIDS virus, infecting a human cell
This human T cell (blue) is under attack by HIV (yellow), the virus that causes AIDS. The virus specifically targets T cells, which play a critical role in the body's immune response against invaders like bacteria and viruses.
This image was part of the Life: Magnified exhibit that ran from June 3, 2014, to January 21, 2015, at Dulles International Airport.
This image was part of the Life: Magnified exhibit that ran from June 3, 2014, to January 21, 2015, at Dulles International Airport.
Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer, and Austin Athman, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health
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2740: Early life of a protein
2740: Early life of a protein
This illustration represents the early life of a protein—specifically, apomyoglobin—as it is synthesized by a ribosome and emerges from the ribosomal tunnel, which contains the newly formed protein's conformation. The synthesis occurs in the complex swirl of the cell medium, filled with interactions among many molecules. Researchers in Silvia Cavagnero's laboratory are studying the structure and dynamics of newly made proteins and polypeptides using spectroscopic and biochemical techniques.
Silvia Cavagnero, University of Wisconsin, Madison
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3460: Prion protein fibrils 1
3460: Prion protein fibrils 1
Recombinant proteins such as the prion protein shown here are often used to model how proteins misfold and sometimes polymerize in neurodegenerative disorders. This prion protein was expressed in E. coli, purified and fibrillized at pH 7. Image taken in 2004 for a research project by Roger Moore, Ph.D., at Rocky Mountain Laboratories that was published in 2007 in Biochemistry. This image was not used in the publication.
Ken Pekoc (public affairs officer) and Julie Marquardt, NIAID/ Rocky Mountain Laboratories
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3597: DNA replication origin recognition complex (ORC)
3597: DNA replication origin recognition complex (ORC)
A study published in March 2012 used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of the DNA replication origin recognition complex (ORC), a semi-circular, protein complex (yellow) that recognizes and binds DNA to start the replication process. The ORC appears to wrap around and bend approximately 70 base pairs of double stranded DNA (red and blue). Also shown is the protein Cdc6 (green), which is also involved in the initiation of DNA replication. Related to video 3307 that shows the structure from different angles. From a Brookhaven National Laboratory news release, "Study Reveals How Protein Machinery Binds and Wraps DNA to Start Replication."
Huilin Li, Brookhaven National Laboratory
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3735: Scanning electron microscopy of collagen fibers
3735: Scanning electron microscopy of collagen fibers
This image shows collagen, a fibrous protein that's the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Collagen is a strong, ropelike molecule that forms stretch-resistant fibers. The most abundant protein in our bodies, collagen accounts for about a quarter of our total protein mass. Among its many functions is giving strength to our tendons, ligaments and bones and providing scaffolding for skin wounds to heal. There are about 20 different types of collagen in our bodies, each adapted to the needs of specific tissues.
Tom Deerinck, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR)
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1336: Life in balance
1336: Life in balance
Mitosis creates cells, and apoptosis kills them. The processes often work together to keep us healthy.
Judith Stoffer
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2519: Bond types
2519: Bond types
Ionic and covalent bonds hold molecules, like sodium chloride and chlorine gas, together. Hydrogen bonds among molecules, notably involving water, also play an important role in biology. See image 2520 for a labeled version of this illustration. Featured in The Chemistry of Health.
Crabtree + Company
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3284: Neurons from human ES cells
3284: Neurons from human ES cells
These neural precursor cells were derived from human embryonic stem cells. The neural cell bodies are stained red, and the nuclei are blue. Image and caption information courtesy of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Xianmin Zeng lab, Buck Institute for Age Research, via CIRM
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2490: Cascade reaction promoted by water
2490: Cascade reaction promoted by water
This illustration of an epoxide-opening cascade promoted by water emulates the proposed biosynthesis of some of the Red Tide toxins.
Tim Jamison, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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1019: Lily mitosis 13
1019: Lily mitosis 13
A light microscope image of cells from the endosperm of an African globe lily (Scadoxus katherinae). This is one frame of a time-lapse sequence that shows cell division in action. The lily is considered a good organism for studying cell division because its chromosomes are much thicker and easier to see than human ones. Staining shows microtubules in red and chromosomes in blue. Here, two cells have formed after a round of mitosis.
Related to images 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, and 1021.
Related to images 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, and 1021.
Andrew S. Bajer, University of Oregon, Eugene
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6963: C. elegans trapped by carnivorous fungus
6963: C. elegans trapped by carnivorous fungus
Real-time footage of Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny roundworm, trapped by a carnivorous fungus, Arthrobotrys dactyloides. This fungus makes ring traps in response to the presence of C. elegans. When a worm enters a ring, the trap rapidly constricts so that the worm cannot move away, and the fungus then consumes the worm. The size of the imaged area is 0.7mm x 0.9mm.
This video was obtained with a polychromatic polarizing microscope (PPM) in white light that shows the polychromatic birefringent image with hue corresponding to the slow axis orientation. More information about PPM can be found in the Scientific Reports paper “Polychromatic Polarization Microscope: Bringing Colors to a Colorless World” by Shribak.
This video was obtained with a polychromatic polarizing microscope (PPM) in white light that shows the polychromatic birefringent image with hue corresponding to the slow axis orientation. More information about PPM can be found in the Scientific Reports paper “Polychromatic Polarization Microscope: Bringing Colors to a Colorless World” by Shribak.
Michael Shribak, Marine Biological Laboratory/University of Chicago.
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2475: Chromosome fiber 01
2475: Chromosome fiber 01
This microscopic image shows a chromatin fiber--a DNA molecule bound to naturally occurring proteins.
Marc Green and Susan Forsburg, University of Southern California
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6893: Chromatin in human tenocyte
6893: Chromatin in human tenocyte
The nucleus of a degenerating human tendon cell, also known as a tenocyte. It has been color-coded based on the density of chromatin—a substance made up of DNA and proteins. Areas of low chromatin density are shown in blue, and areas of high chromatin density are shown in red. This image was captured using Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM).
Related to images 6887 and 6888.
Related to images 6887 and 6888.
Melike Lakadamyali, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
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2506: Carbon building blocks
2506: Carbon building blocks
The arrangement of identical molecular components can make a dramatic difference. For example, carbon atoms can be arranged into dull graphite (left) or sparkly diamonds (right). See image 2507 for an illustration with examples.
Crabtree + Company
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2387: Thymidylate synthase complementing protein from Thermotoga maritime
2387: Thymidylate synthase complementing protein from Thermotoga maritime
A model of thymidylate synthase complementing protein from Thermotoga maritime.
Joint Center for Structural Genomics, PSI
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2365: Map of protein structures 01
2365: Map of protein structures 01
A global "map of the protein structure universe." The Berkeley Structural Genomics Center has developed a method to visualize the vast universe of protein structures in which proteins of similar structure are located close together and those of different structures far away in the space. This map, constructed using about 500 of the most common protein folds, reveals a highly non-uniform distribution, and shows segregation between four elongated regions corresponding to four different protein classes (shown in four different colors). Such a representation reveals a high-level of organization of the protein structure universe.
Berkeley Structural Genomics Center, PSI
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2728: Sponge
2728: Sponge
Many of today's medicines come from products found in nature, such as this sponge found off the coast of Palau in the Pacific Ocean. Chemists have synthesized a compound called Palau'amine, which appears to act against cancer, bacteria and fungi. In doing so, they invented a new chemical technique that will empower the synthesis of other challenging molecules.
Phil Baran, Scripps Research Institute
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2716: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
2716: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, has infected one-quarter of the world's population and causes more than one million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Reuben Peters, Iowa State University
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3764: Movie of the 19S proteasome subunit processing a protein substrate
3764: Movie of the 19S proteasome subunit processing a protein substrate
The proteasome is a critical multiprotein complex in the cell that breaks down and recycles proteins that have become damaged or are no longer needed. This movie shows how a protein substrate (red) is bound through its ubiquitin chain (blue) to one of the ubiquitin receptors of the proteasome (Rpn10, yellow). The substrate's flexible engagement region then gets engaged by the AAA+ motor of the proteasome (cyan), which initiates mechanical pulling, unfolding and movement of the protein into the proteasome's interior for cleavage into shorter protein pieces called peptides. During movement of the substrate, its ubiquitin modification gets cleaved off by the deubiquitinase Rpn11 (green), which sits directly above the entrance to the AAA+ motor pore and acts as a gatekeeper to ensure efficient ubiquitin removal, a prerequisite for fast protein breakdown by the 26S proteasome. Related to image 3763.
Andreas Martin, HHMI
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2380: PanB from M. tuberculosis (1)
2380: PanB from M. tuberculosis (1)
Model of an enzyme, PanB, from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes most cases of tuberculosis. This enzyme is an attractive drug target.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Center, PSI
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6613: Circadian rhythms and the SCN
6613: Circadian rhythms and the SCN
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. Circadian rhythms are influenced by light and regulated by the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), sometimes referred to as a master clock. Learn more in NIGMS’ circadian rhythms fact sheet. See 6614 for the Spanish version of this infographic.
NIGMS
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2441: Hydra 05
2441: Hydra 05
Hydra magnipapillata is an invertebrate animal used as a model organism to study developmental questions, for example the formation of the body axis.
Hiroshi Shimizu, National Institute of Genetics in Mishima, Japan
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