From spines on neurons to pollen on an insect’s eye, the winners of Nikon’s Small World photo contest offer a kaleidoscopic glimpse into a tiny world.

These water fleas (Daphnia sp.) can reproduce asexually by cloning themselves. The two pictured have embryos (left) and eggs (right).
Photograph By Marek Miś, Nikon Small World

By Lauren Potts
October 18, 2024 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Microscopic photography has the power to bring what can usually only be seen through a lens in a lab into the spotlight. It’s a celebration of science and art that has been championed for 50 years by Nikon’s annual Small World contest.

This year’s winning photo—taken by research scientists Bruno Cisterna and Eric Vitriol—is a shot of brain tumor cells in mice. The image is part of a study that shows how neurons respond to deficiencies in their actin cytoskeletons, which controls the cells’ shape and structure. This response may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Of the 2,100 entries from across the globe, 87 extraordinary photos were recognized for their originality, technique, and impact. They included the pink and purple hues of an electrical arc soaring between a pin and a wire, and a close-up of the blister-like bubbles of a cannabis plant leaf.

 

This year’s winning image shows neuroblastoma cells in mice. The green color represents the microtubules, white is the actin cytoskeleton, and magenta is the nucleus.
Photograph By Dr. Bruno Cisterna & Dr. Eric Vitriol, Nikon Small World

 

A cross-section of Ammophila arenaria, more commonly known as marram grass and European beach grass. The walls of hundreds of hexagonal compartments are stained a golden yellow and orange.
Photograph By Gerd A. Günther, Nikon Small World

 

The eyes of a green crab spider (Misumessus oblongus). While mostly a pale green, they can sometimes have pink markings.
Photograph By Paweł Błachowicz, Nikon Small World

 

The dorsal part of cuckoo wasp’s (Hedychrum gerstaeckeri) abdomen. The species is found in Nordic and Baltic countries and belong to a larger family (Chrysididae) known for their metallic coloration.
Photograph By Daniel Knop, Nikon Small World

 

This image shows a cross-section of European beach grass (Ammophila arenaria). The species, native to Europe and North Africa, is invasive on the Pacific coast of North America.
Photograph By Gerhard Vlcek, Nikon Small World

 

Spores of black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) at 63x magnification.
Photograph By Jan Martinek, Nikon Small World

(See some of the best photos from last year’s competition.)

 

An anterior section of a palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus). Weevil larvae can chew extensive holes through palm trees, weakening and killing them.
Photograph By Dr. Sherif Abdallah Ahmed, Nikon Small World

 

The opening of a hibiscus flower (Hibiscus moscheutos) in four stages, each taken 10 minutes apart, gradually revealing a head packed with pollen.
Composite Photograph By Daniel Knop, Nikon Small World

 

Parasite Toxoplasma gondii in a human skin cell. This protozoan causes the disease toxoplasmosis in humans.
Photograph By Dr. Kseniia Bondarenko, Nikon Small World

 

The face of this two-spotted ladybug (Adalia bipunctata) glows under fluorescent light.
Photograph By Angus Rae, Nikon Small World

 

Each layer of the sea star’s nervous system (Patiria miniata) is represented in a different color; this image is a composite of all layers together.
Photograph By Dr. Laurent Formery & Dr. Nathaniel Clarke, Nikon Small World

 

This prismatic photo captures a network of dopaminergic neurons, the main cell type that deteriorates in Parkinson’s disease.
Photograph By Dr. Nick Gatford, Nikon Small World

 

Up-close, the details of this peacock plume feather resemble embroidered threads at 4x magnification.
Photograph By Dr. Håkan Kvarnström, Nikon Small World

 

A neuron from the striatum of an adult rat brain is densely covered in dendritic spines, which help the neuron transmit signals.
Photograph By Stephanie Huang, Nikon Small World

 

Pollen clinging to the delicate threads of a garden spider’s web at 20x magnification.
Photograph By John-Oliver Dum, Nikon Small World

 

Under polarized light, this mosquito larva glows in psychedelic colors.
Photograph By Anne Patricia Algar, Nikon Small World

 

This image shows pollen on the compound eyes of a fly at 60x magnification.
Photograph By Uwe Lange, Nikon Small World