Cellular Symphony on Hydrogel

Submitted by: Tuba Marjan

Category: Microscopy

Creation: I created this image using fluorescent microscopy to capture mesenchymal stem cells growing on a 2D hydrogel scaffold. The cells were stained with phalloidin that binds to actin filaments which form the internal structure and give shape to the cell causing them to glow bright red. The nuclei were stained with Hoechst making them glow blue. The hydrogel allowed cells to adhere and spread out. This process blends scientific observation with a visual appreciation of cellular architecture where function meets form in a dynamic expression of life.

Highway to the brain

Submitted by: Sergio Martin

Category: Anatomy & Physiology

Contributors: Thejas Vishnu Ramesh

Creation: This render was created from 4D Flow MRI data acquired at the Purdue 3T GE Discovery MR750 scanner. To obtain blood flow of the carotid bifurcation, a custom-made wearable coil was used. 4D flow MRI enables three-directional measurement of blood flow velocities over the cardiac cycle. Streamlines were generated from the MRI velocity field with the software Paraview, and overlaid over the structural image, acquired with time-of-flight MRI.

Caption: The image shows the flow of blood at the right carotid artery bifurcation. This section of the carotid splits from the common carotid artery into the internal and external carotid arteries, supplying blood to the brain, face, and head. 4D flow MRI can measure blood circulation in vivo, and it can be especially useful to assess vascular health and diseases. Custom-made coils for the neck result in a higher signal, improving the acquisitions of flow and resulting in more accurate velocity fields.

Nuclear pore complexes under super-resolution microscope

Submitted by: Hao-Cheng Gao

Category: Microscopy

Contributors: Fan Xu

Creation: Immunolabeled cells was imaged with 4Pi single-molecule localization microscopy (4Pi-SMLM) and reconstruct its ultrastructure with nanometer resolution by using 4Pi-BRAINSPOT platform.

Caption: Nuclear pore complexes are massive protein assemblies embedded in the nuclear envelope that regulate the bidirectional transport of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm, playing a crucial role in cellular function and gene expression. Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) surpasses the diffraction limit by precisely determining the positions of individual fluorophores, while 4Pi microscopy enhances achievable resolution through interferometric optical design. Together, 4Pi-SMLM facilitates 3D imaging of proteins with nanometer precision. The color code represents the depth (Z position) of the Nup96 proteins, as indicated by the color bar.

Putting the P in Purdue: Precision Magnetic Bioassembly Using Microrobot Grippers

Submitted by: Madison Howard

Category: Anatomy & Physiology

Contributors: Aaron Davis

Creation: Fluorescent cancer cells and fibroblast spheroids were spatially patterned into a "P" shape using a microrobot gripper and imaged with a fluorescent microscope.

Caption: Cell spheroids were picked and placed in a "P" shape by a wireless, magnetic microrobot gripper.

The Human Operating System

Submitted by: Hammad Khan

Category: Rendering

Creation: Illustrator, Imagej, Device Fabrication, Neural Recordings

Caption: Created from real neural data and biophysical reconstructions of neural connections, this piece represents the next frontier for neurotechnology and physiology. Technological breakthroughs will augment dynamic models between muscles, nerves, and neurons to understand the basis for intelligence.