Special Snowflake

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2015 Third Place Scientists can press pause on cells in action by rapidly freezing them. The cells must be frozen incredibly quickly --within the blink of an eye. If the freezing process is too slow, the water inside (which makes up most of the cell) forms ice crystals.This microscopic image shows the very early stages of one such snowflake growing. If left to grow each of the six, symmetrical points would continue to branch out, developing into an intricate snowflake visible to the naked eye.In experiments like this one Whittaker and his lab freeze sea urchin cells by plunging them into liquid ethane. When frozen fast enough (and scientists avoid creating snowflakes), researchers can observe cells orchestrating the growth of skeletons. This helps us to understand biomineralization: the process of how bodies grow bones, teeth and other hard biological tissues.Department of Materials Science & EngineeringTools & Techniques: Scanning Electron Microscope + colored in Photoshop

Abstract

This image originally appeared as part of Northwestern's Scientific Images Contest. The contest and subsequent exhibitions are organized by Science in Society, the university's research center for science education and public engagement. Further information and opportunities to participate are available on their website. Prints and canvas editions of these Northwestern research images can also be purchased online (with the small net profit going to science education and outreach programming in the Chicago area).

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