Research Symposium

BIO

My name is Martha Baxley, and I am a second-year biomathematics major from Ocala, FL. I have a passion for both mathematics and microbiology, and I hope to one day use these passions to help others through medical research. After undergraduate school, I plan to get both an MD and a PhD. I also have a deep appreciation for the arts and make it a point to exercise my creativity regularly, whether it be through writing, photography, painting, or playing my trumpet.

Microscopic Bioart

Abstract

Bioart is the intersection of art and biology. The combination of these two fields can aid in better engagement and communication within the biological sciences, as well as draw attention to ethical and political issues related to the science. By photographing microscopic specimens that play significant roles in the environment, with a special emphasis on the shapes they form, this project aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the microscopic natural world. The two specimens of focus in this project are desmids and lily flower buds. Desmids are a type of unicellular algae often used to monitor conditions of wetlands, and the flower bud cross section highlights the flower’s role in plant development and reproduction. Both have distinctive symmetry. Light microscopy techniques such as brightfield, darkfield, and differential interference contrast (DIC) were used. The flower bud pictured was embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained. The photos taken represent specimens with environmental importance, but with the goal of appealing to aesthetics, they also allow visual engagement independent of their scientific significance. Increased awareness and appreciation of microscopic life are key to promoting its research and preservation.

Keywords: biology, microscopy, art, photography, bioart