Our invisible body

This is a picture of astrocytes that help the nerv cells in our brain. The astrocytes are from a swedish lab were they develop new methods to cure Parkinsons desease by transforming astrocytes to dopamine producing neurons. Aren't they just beautiful? Almost like the milky way.

A group of researchers in Sweden has documented their working material and I was allowed to show you some of their pictures. My sister works at a lab were I've got the chance to take a look at astrocytes like these in a microscope. They even look more beautiful in reality with the bright colours from the fluorescent inked cells.

This is real non-edited pictures.

To cure Parkinsons desease

Earlier this week I met Malin Parmar, the director of the lab, that told me that in two years they hopefully will do transplantations of these kind of new dopamin producing cells into a couple of hundred human brains. So far they have done successful experiments on rats.

Unmasking motivation

This is two gene expressions in the brain of an embryo from a study of our motivation and reward system.

Root to it all

This picture shows a hair follicle used in research for cancer hot spots.

Do you remember?

This is how a neurosphere made of stam cells looks like. The picture was used to identify cells - the researchers are looking for mechanisms behind Alzheimers desease and why it causes nerv damage.

Resistance is futile

How a healthy muscle in the foot looks like, connected to neurons in the spinal cord. Commonly affected by muscle fatigue at ALS. In the lab they have identified factors that make some cells more resistant against ALS (for example motor neurons in the eye). When the factors were applied on these more sensitive cells they also become more resistant.

Pictures by and thanks to

Milky way: Sara Nolbrant // Malin Parmar lab
Unmasking motivation: Åsa Mackenzie, Sylvie Dumas & Yvonne Dumas
Root to it all: Karl Annusver // Maria Kasper lab
Do you remember: Yuriy Pomeshchik // Laurent Roybon lab
Resistance is futile: Laura Comley // Eva Hedlund lab

Right now the researchers have an art exhibition in Stockholm at the Sven-Harry Museum of Art were you can see all the pictures and more. You can also read more about the project here: http://www.denosynligakroppen.se/ , since most of you don't live in Sweden ;)