With the potential to better understand neurodevelopmental disorders, this year's Nikon Small World in Motion winning video has universal applications MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon Instruments Inc. today unveiled the winners of the 13th annual Nikon Small World in Motion Video Competition. This year's first place prize was awarded to Dr. Alexandre Dumoulin for his 48-hour time-lapse video of developing neurons connecting to the opposite side of the central nervous system in a chick embryo. Developed at the University of Zurich, Dumoulin's video plays a significant role in understanding the potential deviations in neurodevelopmental disorders that occur in the central nervous system, such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Nikon Small World in Motion Video Competition (PRNewsfoto/Nikon Instruments Inc.)
Nikonns are responsible for carrying information throughout the human body. They are connected with long extensions known as axons and these axons traverse the nervous system before eventually forming synapses. Dumoulin's video showcases these lengthy axons projecting across the midline, which serves as a boundary between the two hemispheres of the central nervous system. In neurological disorders, axons are impaired and unable to make their intended journeys. "My research focuses on investigating the developmental processes of neurons in chick and mouse embryos," said Dumoulin. "By studying these organisms, I aim to enhance our comprehension of how the nervous system functions and identify potential factors contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders."neurological disorders He went on to say, "The nervous system is an immensely complex and intricate system composed of a myriad of units that are connected to one another. In this video, we see single units and how they behave."neurodevelopmental disorders To capture the video, Dumoulin applied a new imaging method to visualize the live transfer of information from cells. "The biggest challenge was to discover a feasible method to access these neurons and capture images over an extended period of time," said Dumoulin. "A combination of precise dissection skills and adapted microscopy techniques proved to be the key."
In Dumoulin's eyes, the competition provides an opportunity to share his research efforts and passion for microscopy with the world, "I wanted to share these mesmerizing developing neurons with the public. To me, that's the essence of this competition, highlighting the beauty of nature through the lens of scientific research."
Eric Flem, Senior Manager, CRM and Communications at Nikon Instruments, could not agree more. "For nearly half a century, we've received awe-inspiring entries that are not only visually stunning but scientifically groundbreaking," said Flem. "This year's winning video is no different; while beautiful, Dumoulin's entry can carry significant meaning for the advancement of potential treatments for neurodevelopmental diseases."
Second place was awarded to Fabian J. Weston with ProNikon Instrumentsr his video of blood flow in the tail fin of a small fish. To capture the video, Weston worked with a live organism on a 1 mm deep slide and administered filtered sample water with oxygen throughout the filming process.neurodevelopmental diseases Third place was awarded to Nell Saunders with the Institut Pasteur for her video of human cells fusing and dying upon infection by SARS-CoV-2.
Ed Cara, Science and Health Reporter at Gizmodo
James Cutmore, Picture Editor at BBC Science Focus Magazine
Dr. Gary Laevsky, Director of the Confocal Imaging Facility at Princeton University
For additional information, please visit www.nikonsmaNational Academy of Sciencesonversation on Facebook, Twitter @NikonSmallWorld and Instagram @NikonInstruments. NIKON SMALL WORLD IN MOTION WINNERS
48-hour time-lapse of developing neurons connecting the opposite side of the central nervous system in a chick embryo
40X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Australia
Blood flow in the tail fin of a small fish
Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)
10X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Human cells fuse and die upon infection by SARS-CoV-2
60X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Kirchberg, Bavaria, Germany
Pond creatures (in order of appearance): Hydra, Volvox, Daphnia, Spirostomum, Synura, Hydra
2.5X - 3.5X (Objective Lens Magnifications)
Georg-August-University Göttingen
Göttingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
The beating heart of a 5-day-old zebrafish
20x (Objective Lens Magnifications)
Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem
Szigetszentmiklós, Hungary
Prostoma sp. attacking prey
4X -10X (Objective Lens Magnifications)
Gustometry + SF Micro Society
Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
Potato starch gelatinization (microscopic depiction of the culinary technique of sauce thickening)
25X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Single celled ciliates (Nassulids)
Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)
20X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Bendorf, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany
Goldeyefly (Chrysops relictus) cleaning its proboscis after a blood meal
5X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Dr. Pau Guillamat, Dr. Stephen Decamp & Prof. Dr. Zvonimir Dogic
Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)
Department of Integrative Cell and Tissue Dynamics
Active gel composed of fluorescent microtubules and kinesin motor proteins
60X (Objective Lens Magnification)
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Cell division in an early mouse embryo. Chromosomes (blue) and centromeres (orange) are labeled.
40X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Fibroblast migrating through 3D cell derived matrix marking the actin cytoskeleton and nucleus
Confocal, Fluorescence, Image Stacking
60X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Baylor College of Medicine
Vasculature in the adult mouse eye
5X (Objective Lens Magnification)
ETH Zurich of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) A human brain organoid imaged every half an hour, for one week, showing lumen morphogenesis and emergence of forebrain progenitors and neurons
25X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Linda Veronique Kazandjian
A dense culture of a freshwater ciliate (Spirostomum sp.) commonly found in ponds and lakes
10X and 20X (Objective Lens Magnifications)
Aalborg, Nordjylland, Denmark
A tardigrade (Milnesium) with visible muscle fibers
20X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Thin-film interference colors from naturally-occurring oxidation on pahoehoe lava
4X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Centro de Biologia Marinha
São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil
Syllid worm with sections packed with gametes, each of which break off and release eggs or sperm in the water
4X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamics in a cultured animal cell
63X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Immune cell response to a scratch in the zebrafish epidermis
25X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Kirchberg, Bavaria, Germany
Bioluminescent crustaceans. When threatened they release a cloud of bluish glowing substance to fend off attackers.
1.5X - 2.5X (Objective Lens Magnifications)
McCrone Research Institute
Cholesteryl acetate recrystallizing from a melt
5X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Berkel en Rodenrijs, Zuid Holland, Netherlands
Bacteria colonies (Lactobacillus paracasei)
10X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Berkel en Rodenrijs, Zuid Holland, Netherlands
Bell animalcules (Vorticella) seen through an original Leeuwenhoek microscope
Dr. Jubina Balan Venghateri
Weizmann Institute of Science
Human lung cancer cells dividing
20X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Dr. Melanie White & Jianxiong Wang
Early nervous system formation in a quail embryo, resulting in the development of the brain and spinal cord
40X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Dr. Joost Willemse, Dr. Maurijn van der Zee, Shixiong Cheng & Gerda Lamers
Leiden, Zuid Holland, Netherlands
Depth encoded embryonal development of a red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)
10X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Woodend, Waimakiriri, New Zealand
Zooplankton (Simocephalus sp.) releasing their young. Compilation video of six different specimens.
2X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Woodend, Waimakiriri, New Zealand
Copulating water fleas (Daphnia pulex)
2X (Objective Lens Magnification)
Zhuhai Photographers Association
The birth of a caterpillar
5X (Objective Lens Magnification)
About Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition
The NiNikonmall World Competition is open to anyone with an interest in photography or video. In 2024, the competition will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Ahead of the celebration, participants may upload digital images and videos directly at www.nikonsmallworld.com. For additional information, contact Nikon Small World, Nikon Instruments Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747, USA, or phone (631) 547-8569. Entry forms for Nikon's 2024 Small World and Small World in Motion Competitions are available at https://enter.nikonsmallworld.com/ Nikon Instruments Inc. is the US microscopy arm of Nikon Healthcare, a world leader in the development and manufacture of optical and digital imaging technology for biomedical applications. For more information, visit https://www.microscope.healthcare.nikon.com/ or contact us at 1-800-52-NIKON.