Life Sciences in the picture

In line with the theme of the 2015 Festival, this event is a visual demonstration of the importance of light and the way it is being used in current biological research at the University of Cambridge. This year’s winners will be given the chance to meet Nobel laureate Sir Tim Hunt.

The entries this year, which have never been exhibited in public before or been seen in print, include a map of the fruit fly nervous system by Wendy Gu, imaging the strength of human hip joints by Tom Turmezei and images of nerve repair mechanisms from Chris McMurran.  Elke van Oudenhove will be displaying her image exploring the occurrence of ovarian cancer, Gavin Rutledge is showing images of the relationship between malaria and its hosts, whilst Nicholas Evans’ image captures the science behind a potential new approach to stroke treatment.

Novel scientific discoveries are often revealed through the posters and images included in this competition. Many of the entries relate to cutting edge research in fields from ecological diversity to embryo development, disease and cancer progression. They also reveal some of the latest imaging techniques being employed by scientists, whether they are capturing shots of rare and unusual species out in the field or discovering new microscopic worlds in greater detail than ever before.

The competition features exhibitions from young researchers in all areas of life sciences at the University of Cambridge. It will feature three categories; (i) posters describing research findings, (ii) high impact public information posters – carrying strong, clear messages that raise awareness of important discoveries with an effect on everyday life – and (iii) research images.

Masters and Doctoral students, as well as post-doctoral researchers, in the life sciences are encouraged to produce posters and images that appeal to non-expert audiences as well as being visually engaging. Marks are also awarded for the technical complexity of each piece and the clarity with which the scientific message is conveyed. These four factors are each given a mark out of 10 by each judge, with the highest scorer in each category declared as the winner.

The judging panel consists of a diverse group of academic researchers, commercial scientists and science communicators from around Cambridge. They are selected to reflect the target audience of the posters and images included in the competition.

Speaking as one of the competition judges, Dr Lucinda Spokes, Cambridge Science Festival Co-ordinator, said: “I ‘m really pleased to have the life sciences competition in the Science Festival again this year. For me, it’s vitally important that all University of Cambridge scientists have the opportunity to share their amazing research in a creative and engaging way.

“As a judge, I’ll be looking for original and striking artwork that conveys the beauty and elegance of scientific discovery. Through the clarity of the images and explanations, I want to be able to gain new insights into the underlying research. Overall, I will be looking for both scientific and artistic excellence.”

The competition is supported by Science Magazine and Linguamatics. It is organised by Dr Geraint Wyn Story, who said: “I’m delighted that we have some excellent contributions, and am particularly pleased by the continued growth of the impact poster competition. The challenge for this category in the competition is to boil down an important scientific message to produce a short punchy poste. The whole event breaks down the barriers between the public and the real people who are doing the cutting-edge science.”

All entrants are given written feedback from the judges about their work, with the aim being to help scientists improve their communication skills for public audiences.  Winners in previous years have gone on to compete in national competitions, including the Nikon Small World competition and have attracted international attention with their creations.

In 2014, the image prize was presented to zoologist, Alexander Hackmann, for his striking microscopy image of ant hairs. Ants use these specialised hairs to clean themselves. Scientists hope that understanding these hairs better will help us to understand how insects function and interact. It may also help us to develop more effective cleaning materials.

Over the past few years, the Life Sciences poster and image competition has offered winners the chance to meet and discuss their research with some of the most prestigious scientists in the field. Previously this has included 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry winner Venki Ramakrishnana and John Gurdon, who took the 2012 Nobel Prize for Physiology & Medicine. This year’s special guest, Sir Tim Hunt became a Nobel Prize winner in 2001 for research that contributed to understanding the way that living things produce new cells through division of old cells.

Sir Hunt was awarded his Nobel Prize for work he performed in 1982. He discovered a group of molecules inside living cells, which he named cyclins. Cyclins are key to controlling the growth and division of cells, a necessary part of the way that living things grow and repair. Competition winners will meet Sir Hunt at a prize-winners lunch, which is often also attended by other leading biological scientists.

Dr Wyn Storey commented: “We are honoured that Tim Hunt, someone who discovered the fundamental biological processes that underpin much of the work on display, can join us at the prize giving ceremony for this year’s winners.”

Other Festival events celebrating scientific imagery include:

9 March – Fluorescence imaging: seeing the light. Dr Simon Walker discusses new advances that are making the invisible, visible.

13-14 March – Through the eyes of scientists. A photographic exhibition challenging stereotypes about scientists and giving new insight into their working lives.

14 March – Seeing and interacting with our world. Presented by the Department of Psychology. Posters and exhibits guaranteed to play tricks on your brain.

16-21 March – LENS. An exhibition of poetry and glasswork revealing the latest collaborative science project, bringing together biologists and astrophysicists to more effectively treat cancer.

For further information about the Cambridge Science Festival or to browse the full range of events, please visit: www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk

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