Rodent optic nerve head - photo by Hassanain Qambari and Jayden Dickson
Rodent optic nerve head - photo by Hassanain Qambari and Jayden Dickson
This image of a rodent optic nerve head showing astrocytes (yellow), contractile proteins (red) and retinal vasculature (green) by Hassanain Qambari and Jayden Dickson won first place at the 2023 NSW Photomicrography competition.
https://www.nikonsmallworld.com/galleries/2023-photomicrography-competition/rodent-optic-nerve-head
I see absolute nonsense on a daily basis (we all do) so when I see achievements like this coming from the same species it's always a jaw dropper.
It was no easy task to capture his winning image and at some points, a technically demanding challenge. After locating the fine vessels near 110 microns in diameter, Qambari established a protocol for labeling different cell types. “Over the past 20 years, our research group has refined the technique of isolated ocular perfusion labeling for fine vessels in the eye,” said Qambari. “While the ophthalmic artery in the rodent model presented a challenge, we were able to overcome it with persistence and patience.”
Even that explanation is beyond me and the image itself is amazing in its literal definition.
I love it when the imaging process is every bit as fascinating and awe-inspiring as the process it illuminates!