Our scientific image earns recognition in prestigious competition
An image by Hana Sehadová, a scientist from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, has received an Honorable Mention in the Evident Image of the Year 2024 competition recognizing the world’s best in scientific microscopic imaging. The contest is organized by the Evident (former Scientific Solutions division of Olympus Corporation), a company that designs and manufactures a diverse range of life science and industrial products, including microscopes. This photograph, which combines scientific insight with artistic beauty, provides a fascinating look into the microscopic structures of an aquatic plant.
The photograph was taken during a study of the anatomic adaptations of the stems of aquatic Utricularia species dragging turions at the bottom. The picture shows a cross-section of the apical segment of the stem of the aquatic species Utricularia macrorhiza. The vibrant colors result from autofluorescence in the UV, green, and red spectrum, revealing the presence of various phenolic substances.
How was the image created?
The stem sample, preserved in ethanol, was carefully hand-sectioned into thin slices and stained with toluidine blue. Autofluorescence imaging was performed using an Olympus BX63 microscope and DP74 CMOS camera. The resulting images were combined using Adobe Photoshop to create the final composition.
How does this image contribute to science?
The study focused on turions, overwintering storage organs in aquatic plants, which are pulled to the bottom of their habitat by aging mother shoots. This adaptation involves anatomical changes in the central cylinder of the stem, impregnated with lignin and phenolic substances to prevent premature decomposition. The findings enhance our understanding of the structural adaptations of aquatic plants.
This image is not only a testament to scientific exploration but also a celebration of the hidden beauty of nature as seen through the microscope. We thank everyone involved in its creation!
More about the competition and the winning images can be found at https://evidentscientific.com/en/image-of-the-year-2024.
