Dazzling images illuminate research on cardiovascular disease
The British Heart Foundation’s Reflections of Research competition showcases beautiful images captured by researchers studying heart and circulatory disease
By Carissa Wong
5 November 2024
The winning entry, “Calcium rainbow”
Charlotte Buckley, University of Strathclyde, British Heart Foundation – Reflections of Research
The muscle cells lining an artery resemble a stained glass window in this image, the winner of the British Heart Foundation’s annual Reflections of Research competition. Scientists funded by the charity submitted the most striking pictures from their work on heart and circulatory conditions.
Charlotte Buckley at the University of Strathclyde, UK, who scooped first prize, is exploring how cells in artery walls respond to calcium levels and how this leads to high blood pressure, stroke and dementia. A fluorescent dye shows calcium levels at different times in a recording: blue shows this mineral released from stores inside cells at the start, while later emissions run through purple, pink, red, orange, yellow and then white.
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“The powerhouse of life” Agustina Salis Torres, University of Edinburgh, British Heart Foundation – Reflections of Research
Another image, a shortlisted entry by Agustina Salis Torres at the University of Edinburgh, UK, also shows muscle cells that line blood vessels. The nuclei, which contain genetic material, are shown in blue, and calcium is labelled in green. Mitochondria, the energy-generating parts of the cells, are stained yellow and orange.
“Igniting a new wave of AF research” Aaron Johnston, University of Oxford, British Heart Foundation – Reflections of Research
