Dynamic Beauty in Science
A joint exhibition by the National Museum of Singapore and the Agency for Science Technology & Research (A*STAR)
Dynamic beauty in science presents a feast for the eyes, showcasing the striking data being acquired within the A*STAR Microscopy Platform (AMP) - a core technology platform, housed in the Skin Research Institute of Singapore, enabling scientists from across Singapore to get the most out of our incredible microscopes to progress their research endeavours.
Live-cell imaging with microscopes, either recorded in slow motion or by time-lapse acquisition, enables scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic processes within cells and tissues.
3-dimensional imaging techniques, like confocal microscopy, offer incredible insights into cellular and sub-cellular organisation. The complex tiny structures within cells, measured on the micrometer and nanometer length scale (millionths and billionths of a meter) can then be visualised with computer programs to reveal the 3D architecture.
In the lab we use these microscopy techniques to understand the underlying mechanisms of diseases. We can build an appreciation for how cells move, divide and interact with one another and respond to external factors in complex 3D tissues, gaining insights into what goes wrong in diseases. This, in turn, can lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Varied microscopy techniques were utilised to acquire the diverse movies presented - from the organization of chromosomes during cell division, to human skin cells migrating and the structure of the human hair follicle.