Meet the winners of Nikon’s 2024 photomicrography contest

This year’s winning entry arose from Cisterna’s research into a protein crucial for building brain cell structure (profilin 1, or PFN1); that structure is essential for functional cellular transport. He found that when the protein and related processes are disrupted, the microtubule highways can malfunction and cause damage to the cells. Capturing the actin, microtubules, and nuclei with photomicroscopy was a painstaking process that took about three months just to perfect the staining process. Cisterna and Vitriol paid particular attention to getting just the right field of view and got the image they were waiting for after three hours of observation.

“At 50 years, Nikon Small World is more than just an imaging competition—it’s become a gallery that pays tribute to the extraordinary individuals who make it possible,” said Nikon Instruments rep Eric Flem. “They are the driving force behind this event, masterfully blending science and art to reveal the wonders of the microscopic world and what we can learn from it to the public. Sometimes, we overlook the tiny details of the world around us. Nikon Small World serves as a reminder to pause, appreciate the power and beauty of the little things, and to cultivate a deeper curiosity to explore and question.”

Here are the remaining top 20 winners of this year’s contest, ranging from close-up views of octopus eggs, green crab spider eyes, and slime molds to capturing the electric arc between a pin and wire, and an insect egg that has been parasitized by a wasp. You can check out the full list of winners, as well as several honorable mentions, here.