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Microscope: Olympus DSX1000 Digital

This video showcases the movement of liquid crystals under an applied voltage signal. Much like the technology used in displays, these unique materials are used and aligned in a special device to detect signals from the heart, brain, and nervous system by converting the electrical signals of these organs into light. It gives us a glimpse into the hidden rhythms that make us who we are, presented in a way that's as enchanting as it is illuminating.

Microscope: Zeiss LSM 900

Yes, they can! Cells store fats in small pockets called lipid droplets (outlined in green). Lipid droplets are actually made from another compartment within the cells that is essentially a giant network of membrane tubes – the endoplasmic reticulum (purple). When a lot of fat accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum, it donates part of its membrane to wrap and store it, making lipid droplets. These fat stores can then detach from the endoplasmic reticulum and are used to regulate many cellular processes between different parts of the cell as well as responses to stress.Ìý

X-ray fluorescence microscopy

We use various techniques to explore how gold nanoparticles enter and spread throughout tight 3D cell clusters. One of these techniques utilises the super-precise X-ray Fluorescence Microscope which can spot and measure metals in biological samples with great accuracy. This allows us to precisely measure the location and number of gold nanoparticles present in cell clusters. Providing valuable insights crucial for the development of nanoparticle-based delivery systems, this research is poised to advance the field of nanomedicine by enhancing the tissue penetration of nanosystems, ultimately leading to more effective disease treatment and diagnosis in the future.Ìý

This image has been adapted from the following publication, with permission: Chen W et al., 'Size-Dependent Penetration of Nanoparticles in Tumor Spheroids: A Multidimensional and Quantitative Study of Transcellular and Paracellular Pathways' (2023), Small,

Microscope: Scanning electron microscopy

This image shows how polystyrene forms in the presence of graphene oxide and sodium dodecyl sulfate, through a process called polymerisation where multiple styrene molecules combine together.

Microscope: Leica Stellaris 8Ìý

We can culture all types of cells from the mouse mammary gland (breast) tissue! Each cell type has a particular shape that is defined by its dynamic skeletal structure – epithelial cells (blue) give functional properties to the mammary gland and are typically rounded, while connective tissue cells such as fibroblasts (magenta + yellow) that support tissue function are typically elongated.

Microscope: Leica Stellaris 8Ìý

When you look under a microscope, the functional cells in the adult mammary gland (breast) form a structure that looks like a tree. When we extract tiny mammary glands from mouse embryos and culture them, we can watch how a simple little mammary tree seed grows into a sapling over a period of 6 days (shown here). This allows me to study the biological processes behind embryonic mammary gland development.

Microscope: JEOL 1400Ìý

Astonishingly tiny particles (nanoparticles) called worms are developed by the connection between hydrogen molecules. These materials change their shape through heating as the hydrogen connections are disrupted by changes in temperature. Therefore, these temperature-responsive nanomaterials could be used in emerging applications under variable temperature conditions.

Microscope: JEOL1400Ìý

Synthetic substances called polymers can self-assemble into small particles with various forms. We design different kinds of polymers to control the particle shape. This sample happened to turn out to look like a smiley face :)Ìý

Microscope: FEI Nova NanoSEM 450Ìý

This scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image shows different shapes including spheres, worms (fibres), and vesicles formed by self-assembly of special polymers created by Dr. Fumi Ishizuka.

Microscope: Leica Stereomicroscope

Tabular atacamite crystal surrounded by needles of a translucent, sea-green mineral, likely from the olivenite group. It lays on top of colourless quartz.

Microscope: Operetta CLS High Content Analysis System

When treated with chemotherapy, cancer cells can gain compartments called stress granules (green). Stress granules help cells to lower their energy requirements and survive chemotherapy. I model this process in the lab, aiming to understand how stress granules interact with cellular compartments called P-bodies (magenta) and how their interaction may contribute to chemotherapeutic resistance. In my experiments, the cells shrink when exposed to the stress-inducing chemicals.

Microscope: Leica StellarisÌý

In the testis, nurse cells called Sertoli cells are critical to the development of sperm. Sertoli cells hold on closely to multiple germ cells at a time and provide them with important nutrients so that they can develop into sperm. Without this important cell type, there would be no sperm. Here you can observe the skeleton of a Sertoli cell in orange still holding on to a few sperm heads in blue.

LaVision Ultramicroscope

This mouse brain underwent a tissue clearing method called CUBIC, where chemicals are used to make the brain tissue transparent (while leaving brain architecture unaltered), resulting in clearer imaging data. This adult mouse was bred to genetically express yellow fluorescent protein in a specific cell type in the brain called pyramidal neurons. The image is focused on the Primary Somatosensory Cortex – the region of the neocortex implicated in the integration and processing of sensory and motor signals.

LaVision Ultramicroscope

This mouse brain underwent a tissue clearing method called CUBIC, where chemicals are used to make the brain tissue transparent (while leaving brain architecture unaltered), resulting in clearer imaging data. This adult mouse was bred to genetically express yellow fluorescent protein in a specific cell type in the brain called pyramidal neurons. The video is a trick of light – it is made up of single images captured through the cortex that are stacked together (a z-stack). When played forward as a video, the light from the microscope illuminates the cells at different levels making it appear as if the cells are firing. This image is focused on the Primary Somatosensory Cortex – the region of the neocortex implicated in the integration and processing of sensory and motor signals.

LaVision Ultramicroscope

This mouse brain underwent a tissue clearing method called CUBIC, where chemicals are used to make the brain tissue transparent (while leaving brain architecture unaltered), resulting in clearer imaging data. This adult mouse was bred to genetically express yellow fluorescent protein in a specific cell type within the brain called pyramidal neurons. This image of the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in learning and memory, is a projection of approximately 80 single images taken through the brain, and compressed together, revealing in 3D the structure and orientation of fibres in this region.

Microscope: JEOL JSM-IT500Ìý

Are you tired of coming up with jewellery designs? Take a closer look into nature's realm. Platinum, besides being a noble metal, can create beautiful shapes when it reacts with Gallium. You can see things like flowers and dancing birds. Immerse yourself in the captivating synthesis of science and aesthetics.Ìý