BHF image competition uncovers secrets of the heart.
Leading scientists at theUniversity of Aberdeen have been highly commended for their entry to ‘Reflections of Research’ a national image and video competition run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The entries provide a snapshot of the incredible life-saving work undertaken by heart scientists in the UK.
This June, as part of the BHF’s Support Our Science (SOS) month, the BHF invited its funded scientists – from over 1,000 projects – to submit the most exciting images and videos produced in the course of their work. In SOS month, the BHF showcased the extraordinary achievements of BHF scientists to highlight the existing and potential value of BHF-funded research on UK heart health.
Scientist from the University of Aberdeen were shortlisted for their video - Beating embryonic frog heart by Natalie Gibb.
The winning images and videos were chosen by a panel of experts including Guardian Science Correspondent Alok Jha, renowned anatomist, author and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts and BHF Medical Director Professor Peter Weissberg.
Alok Jha said of this year’s entries:
“These images are not only objects of curiosity (and who isn't curious about the things inside us that keep us alive?) - they are crucial to helping scientists, doctors and patients to quickly understand how things work (or, sadly, are not working) inside one of our most precious organs."
Professor Alice Roberts said:
“I very much enjoyed judging the images and films this year. The standard of entries was excellent, and it's fascinating to see how visual media like this are helping scientists to understand the structure and function of the body and to communicate this to patients.”
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF said:
“These images and videos allow us to marvel at the complexities and intricacies of the cells and molecules that combine to make our heart and circulation work, as well as appreciate the extraordinarily diverse and exciting work being carried out at BHF funded laboratories. Our scientists work tirelessly to understand more about the heart in order to help heart patients, and, as these pictures show, produce some beautiful images in the process.”
The winning images and videos can be viewed online at bhf.org.uk/reflections
- Beating embryonic frog heart is visible by eye
Natalie Gibb
University of Aberdeen
This video shows the beating heart of a frog embryo. As the embryo develops in water, not in a womb, the heart is visible to the naked eye making it easier to study. Despite not looking much like people, many of the processes involved in the development of the frog heart at this early stage are similar to humans.