Loch Ness

Åsa Kolterud, Postdoctoral Research Fellow,
Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan

During embryogenesis, the developing intestine undergoes a remarkable remodeling
process in which the surface of the gut tube is folded into finger-like projections
called villi. These villi, which extend into the lumen of the gut tube, drastically
increase the absorptive surface of the intestine and are important for efficient
nutrient uptake. This photomicrograph shows the initial buckling of the intestinal
epithelium (stained red) into nascent villi. The nuclei of the cells are stained blue.
Note the flower-like nuclei within the epithelium – these are dividing cells lining
up their chromosomes.

Carole Nicholas

The photograph of actively dividing intestinal cells, despite its
title, does not conjure up an image of a deep, cold loch with
a mysterious, mythical monster lurking in its murky depths.
Rather, it looks to me like a joyous celebration, with a colorful
storybook character Nessie emerging to engage in some magic
or whimsy. I used a Scottish highlands tartan for the binding
of the quilt. The background is moiré taffeta, to add texture
and movement. The cells are mostly dyed silk chiffon and
some cotton. Glass beads and metallic and rayon threads
were used as embellishment.

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