Images of Science

The 11th Wellcome Image Awards were announced on 23 February 2011, recognising the creators of the most informative, striking and technically excellent images among recent acquisitions to Wellcome Images, as chosen by a panel of judges.
All of the winners can be seen on the awards website. A few of my favourites are presented below.

Cavefish Embryo
Confocal micrograph of a cavefish embryo at around five-days-post-fertilization, viewed from the side (lateral view). The embryo has been stained with an antibody that targets a calcium binding protein (calretinin) shown in green, which highlights different neuronal types and their processes in the nervous system. This staining also reveals taste buds, that in the cavefish are located around the mouth and extend along the body.

The eyes are still present at this stage of development but they will degenerate naturally during the lifetime of the fish as they live in a dark environment where eyes are redundant. Thus, adult cavefish are blind.

Ruby tailed wasp
Photomicrograph of the ruby-tailed wasp. Chrysis ignita is the most commonly observed (of several) species of the ruby-tailed wasp. It is easily recognised by the vibrant iridescent colours on its body. The head and thorax is a metallic green / blue, while the abdomen is a ruby red / bronze colour, which gives it its name. The underside of the abdomen is also concave, which allows the wasp to roll itself into a protective ball if threatened.

Ruby tailed wasps are 'parasitoids' meaning that they eventually kill their hosts. Chrysis ignita parasitizes Mason Bees - the females lay their eggs in the same nest as mason bees, so, when the ruby-tailed wasp larvae hatch, they feed on the mason bee larvae. Ruby tailed wasps do have a sting but it is not functional and most species have no venom.

Cell division and gene expression in plant cells
Fluorescent micrograph showing cell division in an Arabidopsis seedling used to study in vivo gene expression and cell growth analysis, cell by cell from living tissue

Using this technique fluorescent proteins are targeted to the nucleus, so plants can be imaged as they grow, this also allows for simultaneous and automated quantification of gene activity and cell growth in a cell-by-cell basis. As the plant is alive different time points can be captured to track changes in cell size and gene activity in each cell. Information regarding cell growth and gene activity can be extracted from living tissue at different stages.

The red fluorescence is always expressed (acts as a reference), other promoters of interest are fused to different fluorescent proteins and co localized to the nucleus. In this case the green fluorescent protein (GFP) is regulated by a gene of interest (and is therefore only expressed when that gene is active and is therefore variable among cells). A third fluorescent protein is attached to plasma membrane to visualise the segmentation of cells as they grow.

Small red cells that don't have the gene active and do not express GFP are precursors of stomata. Cells that are yellow have both the red and green expressed.

Ergot fungus infection in wheat
Fluorescent micrograph showing wheat stigmas infected with the ergot fugus (Claviceps), which causes ergotism in humans.

Science and GM in Election 2011

The presence of the Labour Spokesperson on Science, Ruairi Quinn at an anti-GM press conference raises questions about the party's credibility on the GM issue.

At a recent talk I presented on the GM crops issue and in a recent article here and for the Guardian science blog, I suggested that the GM issue had now become an election issue.

On Monday, celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna along with people from "food, farming, conservation and human rights sectors" gathered in Dublin to speak about what their press release called the "inherent dangers of new moves to allow a relaxing of laws in relation to genetically modified food and feed". See the bottom of this post for a video from Monday's press conference.

Calling the GM "lobby" the "Anglo-Irish Bank" of the food sector, the grouping called for (amongst other things) another moratorium on GMO.

Representatives from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA), Western Organic Network, Irish Seed Savers, and Afri amongst others met to denounce what they called a "dubious scientific review" of the GM issue.

All very predictable. It is to the direct economic benefit of the organic sector to ensure that GM does not get a fair hearing. It is to the direct economic benefit of the organic sector to scare consumers into rejecting GM food products.

It is analogous to the guy who produces white bread telling consumers that brown bread will give them leprosy - it has absolutely no scientific basis, but as a marketing ploy, it does wonders for white bread sales!
What was most surprising about the press conference was the very visible presence of Labour spokesperson on Education and Science Ruairi Quinn TD.

Labour are against the cultivation of GM crops on the island of IrelandIt is surprising given the stated position of the Labour Party on the issue.  Although Labour are against the cultivation of GM crops on the island of Ireland, they are in favour of the importation of animal feed potentially containing trace amounts of GM material.

The party's 2006 21-part plan for "A Quality Future for Rural Ireland" commits the party to "work towards the aspiration of a GMO production free island of Ireland within the context of the relevant EU and UK legislation and in the relevant national and international fora.

"Until that aim is achieved", the policy document continues, "the Labour Party will push for the strongest possible evidence-based rules governing the release of GMOs into the environment".

Two things strike me as interesting about this statement. First is the careful wording of the the first paragraph and the aspiration of a "GMO production free island", clearly not ruling out the importation of GM animal feed - as is the party's stated policy.

Secondly, the plan calls for "evidence-based rules" governing the release of GMOs. These evidence-based rules do not seem to be important when deciding the core position- that of being for or against GM crops.

While the Labour Party are to be commended on clearly spelling out their position on GM (the party line of anti-GM cultivation but pro GM  importation seems quite straightforward), the presence of the party's science spokesperson at Monday's launch suggests a different viewpoint.

Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Debate in 2008, Sean Sherlock, Labour Spokesperson on Agriculture and Food pointed out: "The EU scientific committee has applied a certain rationale which is based on common sense and practical solutions. If it is advocating a certain position [on the GM feed issue], I do not understand why the Government is not adhering to that advice or why it would abstain on votes when the time comes".

"if the EU scientific committee advises and recommends that we import certain feedstuffs, I do not see why the Government cannot approve it" - Sean SherlockThere is no dichotomy or contradiction between maintaining the biodiversity of this island and the importation of EU-approved feedstuffs. The two are not mutually exclusive. It is reasonable to express reservations about scientific trials on the growth of GM feedstuffs pending further debate and dialogue. However, if the EU scientific committee advises and recommends that we import certain feedstuffs, I do not see why the Government cannot approve it. We have all bought into that process by virtue of our membership of the EU", said Sherlock.

The labour spokesperson continued: "The precautionary principle is rolled out when it is politically expedient to do so. The Green wedge or wing of the Government has a politically philosophical position on these issues and there is a certain constituency to which it must play. This is to the detriment of Irish agriculture and ultimately the Irish consumer who will end up, if we continue on this route, paying less but without a guarantee that imported livestock or meat products from third countries are GM-free."

In a brief statement on twitter, a Labour Party spokesperson confirmed to Communicate Science that Quinn was representing the party at Monday's event and said that the party "are against growing GM crops here, but are not opposed to importing GM feed". This seems directly at odds with Ruairi Quinn's

very visible endorsement of a GM-free Ireland concept which specifically, according to the groups own press release, is also strongly opposed to the importation of animal feed potentially containing trace amounts of GM material.

it is sending senior figures to campaign for a GM free IrelandThat the Labour Party is against the cultivation of GM crops in Ireland is clearly laid out in their 2006 policy document. I would argue that there is no scientific basis for this position, but that is beside the point. What is problematic for the party is that on the one hand it is sending senior figures to campaign for a GM free Ireland - and against imported animal feed potentially containing trace amounts of GM material; while on the other hand saying that it is not opposed to the importation of such feed. 

As I've said, the Labour Party have a clear policy on this issue and while I disagree with it, they are to be commended for outlining that position, unlike a number of other parties. However, the voting public deserve to know whether or not a potential Minister for Science in the next government has rejected the overwhelming volume of scientific advice on this matter and has arguably been used as part of a marketing strategy for the anti-GM lobby.

The following video is from Monday's press conference. Ruairi Quinn sets out Labour party policy from 2:30 min onwards.

Communicating Science: GM Crops

Well done and thank you to Cork Skeptics who organise the monthly 'Skeptics in the Castle' event at Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork.

I was delighted to be invited to speak to the meeting on the issue of GM crops and the public perception of science and really enjoyed preparing the talk, which of neccesity was quiet different from a talk I would be used to preparing for students.

From my point of view at least, the talk went well and generated some amount of lively discussion afterwards. Hopefully I got across some of the science behind the issue and provided some food for thought.

See a write up on the talk here.

I'm a scientist... no, really!

Some great news this morning - I've been asked to take part in the I'm a Scientist, get me out of here! event in March.

According to the organisers, I'm a Scientist is "an award-winning science enrichment and engagement activity, funded by the Wellcome  Trust. It takes place online over a two  week period. It’s an X Factor-style competition for scientists, where students are the judges. Scientists and students talk online on the website. They both break down barriers, have fun and learn. But only the students get to vote".

I think this is a really great idea and I'm really looking forward to taking part. I'll keep you posted on how things go right here. The event runs from March 14th - 25th. The video below gives a flavour of what's involved.

So, what rhymes with science?

To celebrate World Book Night, which this year takes place on Saturday 5th March, I've got three copies of Seamus Heaney's New Selected Poems to give away. I'll be giving away another 45 copies to schools and individuals in Cork courtesy of World Book Night.

To be in with a chance to win a copy of the book, and in keeping with the poetry theme, just compose a science-themed poem and submit it by email here.

It can be as long or short as you like, and any style you want, as long as it has something to do with science!

Rules:

• The poem must be entirely your own work.
• Closing date for entry is Thursday 3rd March.
• Judges decision is final.
• Submit your poems here along with your name and a general location.

Inside the Dead Zoo

To celebrate Darwin Day; a two-part documentary (via youtube) on Ireland's Natural History Museum, also known as The Dead Zoo.

Part1


Part 2

Happy Darwin Day

This coming Saturday (Feb 12th) is Darwin Day - a global celebration of science and reason held to coincide with the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin.

You can find more information on Darwin Day here.

The following is an award winning film clip by the Wellcome Trust and presented by David Attenborough which summarises evolution in spectacular fashion. Enjoy.