November 18, 2024 - January 15, 2025
CNS, a Luddy School research center, has spent the last 7 years engaged in the development of a human reference atlas, fleshing out a common coordinate system that allows one to register single cell data from multiple individuals into a male and female reference body. The long-term goal is for this healthy human reference atlas to serve as a source of harmonized data that can be used to better understand health and disease, guide pharmacological development, and increase our understanding of how human bodies function.
These art pieces, paired with their natural inspirations, are motivated by a similar appreciation for
biological processes and the beauty of the natural world at multiple scales.
Capillus Linus (Hair Line)
Carrie Elizabeth Longley
2009
The driving force behind Longley’s sculpture, made from clay, wire, pig intestine, and wax, is the relationship of science and art. Collections, categories, labels, frames, and display cases are all devices used by science and art to encourage the viewer to carefully examine precious objects and artifacts. Longley’s intention as an artist is to create a playful shifting back and forth between our traditional ideas of scientific specimen and art object. Her work celebrates the mystery of the natural world, existing somewhere on the border of illusion and reality.
Tabula Floris
Luke Nikolov
2024
One of the defining events in Earth’s history is the origin of the flower, a highly compacted developmental branch in the evolutionary tree with specimens composed of modified leaves specialized for plant reproduction. The flower is the most complex plant structure and consists of elaborate organs that enclose the plant reproductive cells. When fertilized, it gives rise to seeds and fruits - the major source of food for humanity.
This image is the result of viewing cell types using the UMAP dimension reduction technique to visualize groups of similar data points. UMAPs are fast, reproducible, preserve the structure of the data, and organize cell clusters in meaningful ways.
Each dot represents a single cell, and cells expressing similar genes are in the same color, revealing a panoply of cell types and cell states. The different cell populations originate from the center of the space, which contains undifferentiated stem cells giving rise to all other cell types; cells differentiate toward the periphery of the space following distinct developmental trajectories, controlled by distinct sets of genes, which determine the specific form and function of each cell type.
1. valve mesocarp parenchyma
2. perianth mesophyll
3. valve margin parenchyma
4. vascular precursors
5. carpel progenitors
6. transmitting tract
7. endocarp b
8. procambium
9. proliferating cells, G1M
10. ovule cells, nucellus
11. xylem parenchyma
12. glucosinolate-producing cells
13. companion cell precursors
14. exocarp epidermis
15. companion cells type I
16. funiculus epidermis
17. anther epidermis
18. sieve elements
19. nectary cells
20. septum epidermis
21. cortex parenchyma
22. residuum cells
23. replum epidermis
24. endodermis
25. proliferating phloem elements
26. funiculus L2 layer
27. companion cells type II
28. abscission zone cells
29. endocarp a
30. integuments
31. vessel elements
32. stomata guard cells
33. myrosine cells
X-ray imaging of a flower of the Klamath rockcress, Boechera subpinnatifida (Brassicaceae), reveals its intricate structure and organization. Protective sepals on the outside cover
the floral organs in bud and shield them from the environmental extremes. Following the sepals, showy petals,
which are deep purple on a live plant in full bloom, attract the sparse pollinators in the hope that they pick
up and carry pollen to another flower from the same species to achieve successful pollination. The floral organs
that produce pollen, the stamens, are split open here to expose the mature pollen grains. They surround the
carpels, which are hidden inside the center of the flower. Click here
for a video showcasing the X-ray imaging.
Molecular Galaxy
Beata Edyta Mierzwa
2017
To carry out diverse biological functions, every single cell within our bodies contains a vast network of interactions between proteins, resembling intricate constellations in the night sky. This cell-shaped network highlights diverse cellular structures, like mitochondria, the cell membrane, as well as the nucleus that holds our genetic information.
Molecular Galaxy is inspired by real protein-protein interaction networks that represent physical and functional interactions between proteins in the cell. This example image shows a network of proteins important for cell division and regulation of p53, an important gene that suppresses cancer growth. Each bubble represents a protein, while the lines indicate their interactions, which are based on experimental data and computational predictions. The line thickness indicates the confidence of each interaction. The network was generated using the STRING Database with data from Dr. Mierzwa's research at the University of California, San Diego.
Beauty is Everywhere
Angela Caldwell
2024
When Dr. Caldwell encountered this image of a cell taken from fallopian tubes, she was struck by its beauty and its relation to the feminine body. By looking more closely, she could see microscopic shapes and envisioned constructing her work out of individual beads sewn together - a craft-based art attributed to women. Using the theme “what women make,” she gave context by adding the embroidered fallopian tube and placing the cell where it forms naturally. By combining traditional creative avenues with advanced scientific research, she invites the viewer to contemplate the acts of creativity that connect both fields of study.
Dr. Caldwell was inspired by this CODEX image of the isthmus, the connection between the uterus and Fallopian tube, courtesy of Dr. Kate O'Neill at the University of Pennsylvania. The image appeared as a HuBMAP Image of the Week, and was generated as part of the HuBMAP consortium, an NIH-funded project.
CeCe and Squiggy
Shouvik Maiti, Melanie B. Goldstone, and Todd N. Theriault
2024
CeCe (a ciliated columnar epithelial cell) and Squiggy (a simple squamous epithelial cell) are friendly tour guides introducing readers to key tools and services of the Human Reference Atlas. Appearing in several Human Atlas Stories, these characters started life as pencil sketches by Theriault, were given color and expression through Goldstone’s animations, and gained movement and an extra dimension from Maiti’s 3D renderings. The figures shown here are 3D prints of the animated versions.
CeCe (left) and Squiggy (right) in action, paired with renderings of the cell types that served as initial inspiration for their characters. Click on the link here to see them in action.
Artist Bios
Carrie Elizabeth Longley
Carrie Elizabeth Longley is a studio artist and educator. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Fine Art at Indiana University East. She holds a BA in Studio Art from Wittenberg University and an MFA from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She exhibits her work extensively throughout the United States and has received numerous awards including “Emerging Craftsman” from Ohio Designer Craftsman, “The Bobby Kadis Award” at the Penland School of Crafts, MCACD Individual Artist Fellowship, and the $10,000 William and Dorothy Yeck “Young Sculptor’s Award.”
Luke Nikolov
Dr. Luke Nikolov is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Indiana University Bloomington. He is a Postdoctoral Fellow from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard University, and received his B.A. in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University. His research specializes in plant development and evolution, transcription factors in floral development, and single-cell genomics.
Beata Edyta Mierzwa
Dr. Beata Mierzwa studies how human cells divide and shares the beauty of science through art, fashion, and interactive media. Her postdoctoral research aims to advance the world’s understanding of cell division and improve cancer therapy. Beyond her academic career, Beata creates science-themed drawings and clothes. Her hand-drawn illustrations use metaphor to portray scientific concepts in intuitive ways, while her microscopy fashion celebrates the beauty of the molecular world. She also created a science video game, Microscopya, that invites players to explore the beauty inside our cells. Through her AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadorship for science outreach and her work with Young Women in Bio – Southern California, she aims to inspire creative students to pursue careers in STEM. For more information, please visit www.beatascienceart.com or follow @beatascienceart on social media.
Angela Caldwell
Angela Caldwell, Visiting Assistant Professor, Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design, Indiana University, Bloomington, is an artist and educator. Using both fiber and metals-based materials and techniques, her work explores the nuances and complicated nature of family, female friendships, community, and memory from a traditional craft perspective. As an educator, she strives to foster curiosity, community, strong foundational techniques, and a commitment to fine craft. She holds an MFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design from Indiana University.
CeCe and Squiggy Team
Shouvik Maiti
Shouvik Maiti is a master's student at Indiana University Bloomington, pursuing a degree in Human-Computer Interaction, with a professional background in product design. Prior to this, he worked as an architect and interior designer, creating spaces that fostered meaningful human interactions. His passion for 3D motion design began when he grew tired of static architectural renders and wanted to bring objects to life, telling stories through visuals. This led Shouvik to launch Bongboy Studio, an Instagram page where he helps small brands create compelling artwork and video animations that capture attention and tell their unique stories.
Melanie B. Goldstone
Todd N. Theriault
Todd N. Theriault is a Technical Writer for the Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center. He has an M.A. in English from the Miami University of Ohio and a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. He has taught classes on poetry, fiction, and creative students at Miami University, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, and Indiana University.
Related Events
Connections Between Art, Science, and Engineering: A Conversation with Dr. Katy Börner November 22, 2024 5:00-6:00 pm at the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art
