Microscopy can reveal worlds that feel almost impossible to believe are real. The winners and honorable mentions of Evident Scientific’s 6th Annual Image of the Year Award show exactly that, turning life science images into scenes that look like glowing galaxies, alien landscapes, abstract paintings, and tiny creatures from another universe.
The competition celebrates both the artistic and scientific value of microscopy, encouraging people around the world to view scientific images in new ways. Evident, formerly the Scientific Solutions Division of Olympus, has spent more than a century developing optical and imaging technologies that help scientists, physicians, and engineers study what usually remains hidden from view. Through this award, those hidden details are brought into the spotlight, showing how much beauty can be found in the smallest structures of life.
Scroll down to see the winning and honorable mention images from this year’s competition, and don’t forget to vote for the ones that amazed you the most.
More info: evidentscientific.com | Instagram
#1 “Pollen Grains On A Jumping Spider” By Javier Rupérez
Honorable Mention
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22points
#3 “Two Anterior Median Eyes Of A Jumping Spider” By Walter Ferrari
Honorable Mention
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22points
#4 “Neuronal Cosmos” By Katie Holden
Global Winner
Description: “The image showcases induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurospheres consisting of neuronal cells, which self-organize into structures resembling the layered architecture of the human brain. Neurospheres serve as an important platform for studying brain cells, allowing for research into the effects of environmental and genetic factors on neuronal development. Visually, the star-like pattern reflects intriguing parallels between astronomy and biology at hugely different scales.”
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21points
#5 “Mallow Pollen On Stigma” By Igor Siwanowicz
Regional Award Winner Americas
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20points
#7 “Stigma Of Chicory With Pollen Grains” By Gerd Günther
Regional Award Winner EMEA
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19points
#8 “Fluorescent Immunostained Brain Tissue From An Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model” By Bettina Rákóczi
Honorable Mention
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16points
#12 “Dying Superficial Epithelial Cells During Osmotic Stress” By Yue Rong Tan
Honorable Mention
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14points
#13 “Bidens Pilosa Attached To A Pair Of Stockings” By Hange Du
Honorable Mention
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14points
#14 “Sarcomere Structures Within Cardiomyocytes In A Rat Heart” By Kentauro Mochizuki
Regional Award Winner Asia-Pacific
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13points
#16 “Gfp-Positive Thy1 Neuron In A Tissue-Cleared Mouse Brain” By Marko Pende
Honorable Mention
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13points
#17 “Commissural Axons Of A Developing Central Nervous System In A Chick Embryo” By Alexandre Dumoulin
Honorable Mention
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11points