Over the past 50 years, the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition has become synonymous with breathtaking and educational snapshots of the microscopic world. This year marked another extraordinary celebration of scientific photography, showcasing stunning images from researchers and photographers around the globe.
Bringing together over 2,100 entries from 80 countries, this year's competition continued its legacy of highlighting the beauty hidden beneath the lens. With careful judging criteria focusing on originality, informational content, technical skill, and visual impact, the winning entries offer not just superb craftsmanship, but also contribute to scientific knowledge.
The first-place award this year went to Dr. Bruno Cisterna and Dr. Eric Vitriol from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Their winning image, depicting differentiated mouse brain tumor cells, captures the complexity and beauty of cellular structures, showcasing actin, microtubules, and nuclei under super-resolution imaging at 40X magnification. This image serves as a window not just to the aesthetic qualities of these cells but also to the grave issues they highlight, such as the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
“One of the main problems with neurodegenerative diseases is we don’t fully understand what causes them,” said Dr. Cisterna as he elaborated on the intense research behind the photograph. He emphasized the need for this fundamental knowledge to develop effective treatments. “Our research is pivotal for discovering this information and potentially finding cures.” He also noted the potential of differentiated cells to investigate how certain mutations and toxic proteins affect neuron structure and function—an important step for creating therapies intended to protect or restore neuronal health.
For its outstanding rendition of microscopic phenomena, the second-place award was granted to Dr. Marcel Clemens from Italy. Clemens’ photograph of electrical arcs between a pin and wire—achieved using image stacking techniques combined with long exposure photography—offers viewers insight not only visually but also scientifically, as it demonstrates the power of electricity at the microscopic level. His work adds to our comprehension of electrical conductivity and its fascinating visuals.
Rounding out the top three was Chris Romaine from Port Townsend, Washington. His captivating image of cannabis plant trichomes won third place, showcasing the bulbous structures rich with cannabinoid vesicles. This photograph, magnified at 20X, unveils the intricacies of the plant’s surface and the mechanisms by which it interacts with its environment. This kind of visual documentation contributes to both botanical knowledge and the broader dialogue about cannabis's role, especially as it gains acceptance within scientific and medicinal communities.
All of these remarkable images remind us of the captivating stories told within the microscopic structures of living organisms. Eric Flem, the Senior Manager of CRM and Communications at Nikon Instruments, articulated this sentiment perfectly: “Sometimes, we overlook the tiny details of the world around us. Nikon Small World serves as a reminder to pause, appreciate the power and beauty of the little things, and to cultivate a more inquisitive spirit toward exploration and inquiry.”
What makes the Nikon Small World competition truly special is how it serves as both an artistic platform and tool for scientific education. It not only highlights the talents of its contributors but also encourages public engagement with science. The images produced each year provide viewers with access to worlds often unnoticed, spurring curiosity and passion about the intricacies of life at every scale.
This year’s contest culminated with exceptional imagery spanning various subjects, including everything from living cells to the textures of natural materials. The top twenty images showcase the astonishing range of photomicrography capabilities and the interconnectedness of scientific exploration through art.
Here’s some insight on the additional award-winning images: Fourth place was awarded to Dr. Amy Engevik for her vibrant fluorescent image of mouse small intestine tissue, offering insights about the digestive system at the cellular level, allowing viewers to appreciate complexity within biological systems.
The fifth-place photograph captured the delicate and fleeting beauty of octopus eggs taken by Thomas Barlow and Connor Gibbons, demonstrating the impressive techniques used to reveal life beneath the surface of our ecosystems. The visual captures intricacies and serves as documentation of life cycles often hidden from the naked eye.
Taking sixth place was Henri Koskinen from Helsinki University, with his surreal yet informative image of Cribraria cancellata, commonly known as slime mold. This image reminds viewers of the diverse categorizations of life and how organisms like slime molds can often teach us about ecosystem dynamics.
Other notable mentions included images showcasing the cross-sectional views of European beach grass, neurons from rat brains, and the captivating world of spider webs, illustrating pollen grains. These entries not only serve aesthetic purposes; they challenge us to think critically about the natural world and our place within it.
Each year the Nikon Small World competition reveals new wonders, reinforcing the idea of art intertwined with science. From dazzling light displays to unique cellular structures, it invites everyone—from scientists to casual observers—to appreciate complexity and diversity present at microscopic levels.
This year’s selected entries are a celebration of the confluence of technological advancements and artistry within microscopy, inviting viewers to cultivate curiosity about the world around them. The competition, having successfully attributed so much to both the scientific community and public engagement, proves its continued relevance and importance.
With the continued evolution of imaging technology, one can only anticipate what sorts of extraordinary submissions await us next year. The powerful blend of science, art, and technology ensures the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition will remain at the forefront of captivating the global audience’s imagination, leading all spectators to peek through the lens and revel at the wonders beneath the surface.
