Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Science as art: Photography competition brings the two disciplines together

 

Jonathan Owen
Sunday 17 March 2013 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Albert Einstein's claim that “The greatest scientists are artists as well,” is illustrated by some of the contenders for a photography competition at Cambridge University on Tuesday.

While some may look more like the latest artistic efforts by the likes of Damien Hirst, they are in fact the result of the latest scientific research being done at Cambridge University's school of life sciences.

It is technology, rather than any artistic medium, that has made the pictures possible - with high-powered microscopes enabling scientists to create images of cells.

Dr Geraint Wyn Story, organiser of the competition, said: “This is an opportunity for MPhil, PhD and postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences to reach out and help the public to understand the research that we do, and appreciate its value.” He added: “It also shows some of the incredible natural beauty that researchers in life sciences see every day in their work.”

A seven-strong judging panel will choose the winning picture on Tuesday. It includes Dr Dane Comerford, public engagement events manager at the University of Cambridge, who said: “The competition is a great opportunity for the researchers to present their work to the public using quirky images.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in