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This computer simulated image was created using software called the 'TREES toolbox', which allows scientists to generate neuronal structures indistinguishable from those found in the real biological brain. This image shows synthetic neurons that represent the optimised size, shape and connectivity of pyramidal neurons analogous to those found in the cortex of the brain. Pyramidal neurons are so-called because they have a pyramid-shaped cell body (soma), they are also characterised by long branching dendrites. They are found in the forebrain (cortex and hippocampus) of mammals and are thought to be involved in cognitive function.

Each neuron is assigned a different colour so that individual structures and processes can be easily distinguished. These highly accurate synthetic neurons have the added advantage of being manipulated and viewed in a number of different ways, helping scientists learn more about cell shape and how neurons are constructed.

2011 Wellcome Image Award winner. Wellcome Image Awards 2011.

Computer simulated pyramidal neurons

A 3D movie showing mouse limb anatomy at embryonic stage 14.5 days gestation. This movie is part of a wider limb atlas project to identify the bones, muscles and tendons present in the developing limb. The limb atlas has been developed by scientists at the NIMR, MRC London.

Movie: bone structure of mouse forelimb

IgG is the most abundant type of antibody.
It consists of 2 light chains and 2 heavy chains.
This is the basic structure for all antibody
molecules. Secretory IgA (SIgA) is found in
secretions, such as tears, saliva and breast milk.
It consists of two basic immunoglobulin units
linked by a joining chain and is also associated
with a protein called secretory component which
protects the immunoglobulin against breakdown.

antibody structure diagram

Nail, general structure as seen with scanning

electron microscope. The nail is made up of a hard protein called keratin, the same protein that makes up hair.

structure of nail

Transmission electron micrograph of the pancreas. The main role of the pancreas is in the production of enzymes and hormones, which are released into the small intestine to assist in the digestion of food. The pancreas also produces the hormone insulin that controls blood sugar levels. Shown in this image are acenar cells (plural acini) that are responsible for secreting digestive enzymes.

Pancreas

scanning electron microscograph showing the structure of a thread of cotton, clear interwoven bundles of thinner fibres make up the larger structure.

cotton thread

This image shows the structue and positioning of the muscles and tendons present in the hindlimb of a 14.5 days post coitum (dpc) mouse embryo. The different muscles are colour coded for definition. This image is part of a wider limb atlas project created to identify the structure of bones, muscles and tendons in the developing limb. The limb atlas has been developed by scientists at the NIMR, MRC London.

Muscles and tendons of a mouse hindlimb

Light micrograph of cystine crystals. Cystine is an amino acid made from two molecules of cysteine, also an amino acid. It is thought to be the stable form of cysteine (cys). Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and is required for healthy skin, hair, bones, and connective tissue.

Cystine

Cilia and flagella both have this structure - an axoneme surrounded by cell membrane. At their core is a circular arrangement of nine pairs of microtubules around a single pair in the centre, known as the axoneme. This is commonly called the 9 + 2 arrangement. Each peripheral pair has one complete microtubule and one nearly complete microtubule. Several other proteins are associated with the microtubules and either hold the axoneme together or control the sliding of the paired microtubules past each other. This sliding causes the bending movements of the cilla.

Structure of a cilium

T. Schwann, cell structure

Nail, general structure as seen with scanning
electron microscope.

Nail, general structure, SEM

The iron storage molecule ferritin consists of 24
subunits arranged in a spherical shell around a
central cavity. Excess free iron is toxic and each
ferritin molecule stores up to 4500 iron atoms
inside its cavity as an insoluble and harmless
iron (III) hydroxide. Each subunit consists of
four long alpha helices and one short one, shown
schematically as cylinders. Each subunit is shown
in a different colour.

Ferritin - molecular model

A transmission electron micrograph showing part of
the myelin sheath surrounding a nerve. A detailed
structure of the membrane layers can be clearly
seen. This section has been cut from a frozen
sample which preserves the sample without
dehydration and consequent shrinkage.

TEM - myelin sheath - detailed structure

Woodcut: ecorches showing muscle structure.

De la structure du cerveau...

This image shows the bone structure of the forelimb from a 14.5 days post coitum (dpc) mouse embryo. This image is part of a wider limb atlas project created to identify the bones, muscles and tendons present in the developing limb. The limb atlas has been developed by scientists at the NIMR, MRC London.

14.5 dpc mouse forelimb

Colour-enhanced image of part of a kidney cell showing many mitochondria in red, a portion of the nucleus in blue and the cytoplasm in green. The cytoplasm is densely packed with the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Mitochondria in the cell cytoplasm

Polarised light micrograph of crystals of glucose. 

Glucose is a carbohydrate sugar that is important to the body for energy and metabolism. Plants produce glucose as a product of photosynthesis.

Glucose

Photomacrograph of cartilage from the knee of a chicken (Gallus gallus). Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue which plays an important structural role in many areas of the body. Width of image is 5 mm.

Chicken knee cartilage

This is a still image from a 3D animation showing the surface structure of the skull from a 28-year-old adult mouse.

Movie: 3D adult mouse skull

Micrograph shows microtubules in vitro. Microtubles make up the cytoskeleton and provide structural support within cells. This image of microtubels was captured as part of an in vitro assay using rhodamine labelling to determine microtubule polymerization and viability. Imaging was carried out on a DeltaVision Restoration Microscopy System.

Microtubles in vitro

Molecular model of the human galectin-7 protein. This and other members of the galectin family specifically recognise and bind to galactose moieties and by doing so regulate growth, modulate the immune system and affect cell-cell adhesion.

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Computer simulated pyramidal neurons

Movie: bone structure of mouse forelimb

antibody structure diagram

structure of nail

Pancreas

cotton thread

Muscles and tendons of a mouse hindlimb

Cystine

Structure of a cilium

T. Schwann, cell structure

Nail, general structure, SEM

Ferritin - molecular model

Ferritin - molecular model

Ferritin - molecular model

TEM - myelin sheath - detailed structure

Woodcut: ecorches showing muscle structure.

TEM - myelin sheath - detailed structure

De la structure du cerveau...

14.5 dpc mouse forelimb

Mitochondria in the cell cytoplasm

Glucose

Chicken knee cartilage

Movie: 3D adult mouse skull

Microtubles in vitro

Human galectin-7

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Computer simulated pyramidal neurons

Movie: bone structure of mouse forelimb

antibody structure diagram

structure of nail

Pancreas

cotton thread

Muscles and tendons of a mouse hindlimb

Cystine

Structure of a cilium

T. Schwann, cell structure

Nail, general structure, SEM

Ferritin - molecular model

Ferritin - molecular model

Ferritin - molecular model

TEM - myelin sheath - detailed structure

Woodcut: ecorches showing muscle structure.

TEM - myelin sheath - detailed structure

De la structure du cerveau...

14.5 dpc mouse forelimb

Mitochondria in the cell cytoplasm

Glucose

Chicken knee cartilage

Movie: 3D adult mouse skull

Microtubles in vitro

Human galectin-7

Be the first to know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome collection