Bacterial microbiome mapping, bioartistic experiment

NK T-cell lymphoma is a highly aggressive cancer of a specific type of immune cell called lymphoid cells, and is associated with the Epstein Barr virus (glandular fever). In later stages of the disease, the lymphoma can spread to the lymph nodes, as in this case. 

Squamous cell carcinoma, mouse eye

Cinchona bark, Europe, 1601-1700

Tanner's cassia seed pods, India, 1871-1920

Horse intestine with multiple attached parasitic worms

Glass specimen jar of gum ghatti, India, 1830-1930.

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Dog (canine) brain as viewed from above. A haemorrhage (stroke) affecting the cerebrum (the main brain region) has resulted in bleeding in the front right-hand region of the brain (bottom left of image). Cerebrovascular accidents are rare in dogs but this type of haemorrhage can occur as a result of tumour growth, blood clotting defects or poisoning.

Canine brain affected by cerebral haemorrhage

"1000 Handshakes" is a performance piece during which the artist shakes hands with as many people as possible, gradually changing the invisible microbial community in the palm of his hand. Periodically, assistants take a swab from the skin, and the samples are analyzed in the lab to reveal how our contact with others shapes the microbes between us. This ongoing project has been performed in different cities around the world (including Copenhagen, Montreal, San Francisco, Perth, Berlin and Baltimore) as a way to map our collective microbiome using scientific data.



Production of the 'microbiome selfies' involved many different steps. Following the collection of the microbiome samples, bacterial DNA was extracted, amplified and sequenced to create the bioinformatic data shown in this series. The nodes of the networks represent bacterial DNA sequences, and two nodes are connected by an edge (line) when the bacterial DNA sequences have more than 95% similarity. The different colours correspond to distinct samples collected at every 50th handshake, from 0 to 1001. 



This image corresponds to the 12th image in this 21-part series, showing the extensive microbiome resulting from 550 handshakes.

Calf kidneys presenting with lobular (lumpy) anatomy. The kidneys are swollen with red-pink discolouration of the cortical zones that is typical of acute nephritis (kidney inflammation). This is often secondary to a bacterial infection in young farmed animals. 


There are several types of acute nephritis, which can lead to inflammation in different areas of the kidneys including the spaces between the kidney lobules (interstitial nephritis), ureters (pyelonephritis, and which is usually caused by E.Coli) and the glomeruli (glomerulonephritis), the clusters of capillaries acting as the filters of the kidney.

Acute nephritis in calf kidneys

Section of a cell block created from a fine-needle biopsy of an enlarged inguinal (groin) lymph node, showing the presence of Treponema pallidum (syphilis-causing bacteria). The Dieterle stain is one type of stain that can be used to demonstrate the organisms syphilis, and deposits silver on T. pallidum, staining them grey as seen in this image. The bacteria are transmitted through sexual contact or through the placenta during pregnancy. T. pallidum is a subtype of spirochete, so named for their corkscrew or curvy appearance. 



Syphilis is a staged-disease and can present sores, rashes and flu-like symptoms. If left untreated it can cause damage to the heart, brain, nervous system and bones, and even death. Syphilis is treated by antibiotics, most commonly penicillin.

Horizontal image width 675 micrometres

Spirochete presentation in inguinal lymph node section

The display case (second on the left) shows samples of a species of cinchona bark known as cinchona micrantha, which comes from Peru. It was commercially grown in large amounts for the anti-malaria treatment quinine. These types were sold by English traders. The display cases are from the Howard Collection and were shown at a Wellcome exhibition in 1930, called the Tercentenary Cinchona Exhibition, celebrating the 300-year anniversary of the therapeutic uses of cinchona bark. The case is shown here with similar examples (A654755, A654756 and A654758).

The collection belonged to John Elliot Howard (1807-83). His father, Luke Howard, had established the first British factory to produce quinine in Stratford, east London, in 1823.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: England, United Kingdom

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Canine brain affected by cerebral haemorrhage

Bacterial microbiome mapping, bioartistic experiment

Acute nephritis in calf kidneys

Spirochete presentation in inguinal lymph node section

Display case of specimens of cinchona micrantha bark, Englan

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Wellcome uses cookies.

Sample

Images

Works

Canine brain affected by cerebral haemorrhage

Bacterial microbiome mapping, bioartistic experiment

Acute nephritis in calf kidneys

Spirochete presentation in inguinal lymph node section

Display case of specimens of cinchona micrantha bark, Englan

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times