Pinpointing the Origins of Ataxia
Channel: FAU Research
Date: 2022-07-08

Is it a galaxy? Maybe an eyeball? Or a glorious gemstone? None of the above. It’s actually the 600 times magnification of a mutant star-shaped brain cell, which showcases research and beauty, according to the photographer and researcher, Patrick Grant, Ph.D.

In this photograph, the enlarged brain cell, called an astrocyte cell, highlights a mutant protein shown in green, within the cell’s nucleus, or center. It’s found in one type of fatal neurodegenerative disease, Ataxia, studied in the Grant lab and results in loss of posture, balance and coordination of movement, as well as blindness. 

“The colors of this image are striking to me, and particularly the intensity of the green that pinpoints the accumulation of mutant Ataxin-7 protein,” he said. “Normally Ataxin-7 is evenly spread throughout the cell nucleus and this image reveals a distinctive feature of the abnormality associated with this disease.”

📸: Pinpointing the Origins of Ataxia by Patrick Grant, Ph.D., third place winner in the 2021 Art of Science photo contest

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The 2022 Art of Science contest is officially open for photo and video submissions!  📷🔬📹 

If you are FAU faculty, staff, student or postdoctoral researcher, you can now submit your original images and footage of the inherent beauty in research, scholarship and creative activity to win an iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods. Learn more at https://woobox.com/bquz6u