2020 Small World in Motion Competition

Morphing melanoma cells (alpha-Actintin shown in yellow; actin in red)

Dr. Gregory Adams Jr.

Affiliation
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NHLBI
Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Technique
Confocal
Magnification
60X (Objective Lens Magnification)

This movie spectacularly shows morphing melanoma cancer cells (in red and yellow). It was captured using spinning disk confocal imaging technology with cancer cells that were transfected with fluorescent fusion proteins and placed on a PDMS BSA coated coverslip (a patterned coverslip designed to control the movement, growth and adhesion of the organism). Dr. Adams studies cancer as a cell biologist and microscopist. Although Dr. Adams says that he partially chose this image to bring to Small World in Motion because of its visual aesthetics, he also felt the subject matter might spark the interest of younger people in science.

Crystallization of a callus removal solution

Wojtek Plonka

Location
Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
Technique
Polarized Light
Magnification
6.3X (Objective Lens Magnification)

The 5th place movie shows crystals from an over-the-counter callus remover growing as moisture is removed from the sample. Although Mr. Plonka’s main work involves computer simulations in chemistry (primarily for the purpose of drug design), he enjoys capturing stunning images of crystallization through the microscope as a sideline. Callus remover, which is a combination of lactic acid and salicylic acid, is a particularly popular sample due to its ability to crystalize into beautiful structures. It does require practice and talent to capture crystallization at this quality. From an equipment perspective, however, callus removal solution crystals can be observed with a standard high school science laboratory microscope.

Colonies of rotifers with eggs

Massimo Brizzi

Affiliation
www.massimobrizzi.it
Empoli, Firenze, Italy
Technique
Darkfield
Magnification
10X - 20X (Objective Lens Magnification)

This movie captures the almost dancelike movements of colonies of rotifers with their eggs. Mr. Brizzi actively studies and documents microorganisms that reside in highly polluted waters. This particular colony of rotifers is a rare variant of freshwater dwellers and taken using the darkfield microscopy technique. One of the biggest challenges to capturing this image is getting the colony transferred to a glass microscope slide without harming the organism.