Stem Cell Network Blog: 35 reasons to like stem cells - images and art/voting open on FB "Cells I See"

Blogger's Note: the FB art/images are fabulous - take a look/vote if you wish

Stem Cell Network Blog: 35 reasons to like stem cells

April 12, 2012

35 reasons to like stem cells

by Lisa Willemse

2010 Cells I See winner: The Beauty of Pluripotency by Kamal Garcha

For the past four years, the Stem Cell Network has held a small image/art contest, known as Cells I See. You may have viewed announcements of the winners in previous blog posts. The contest, by and large, was a quiet affair, known only to a few who weren't part of the Network's annual scientific conference -- where the entries were displayed and conference attendees selected the winner via blind judging.

We were content to keep it this way, until we realized that we were, in essence, hiding some of the most incredible stem cell images we've ever seen. Prompted by interest from the Ontario Science Centre, we installed a small exhibit in their museum and the response was incredible. Most people had no idea what stem cells looked like and were amazed at their beauty and complexity. The overriding message was that people are interested not just in the science of stem cells, but in stem cell images and art.

In response, Cells I See has gone social -- we've opened up the 2012 voting to the world. Anyone with a Facebook profile can participate by "liking" any of the 35 entries in this year's contest. Of course, we invite you to share it with your friends and colleagues as well -- the images are breathtaking, displaying a range of cell types, colours and patterns.
But don't take my word for it, go see them for yourself.