Image

In a stunning display of micro-scale artistry, Asma Muhammad Hanif, a PhD candidate
from the Chan Group, Research School of Biology has won the 'Cool Science' category
at Training Centre for Future Crops Development annual meeting's image competition
earlier in June this year.

Taken using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) at the Centre for Advanced Microscopy,
the winning image captures the intricate surface morphology of chickpea pollen cell forming
a mesh like structure (purple) and cell germinating a bud which will later form a pollen tube
(green). The cell is embedded in anther fibers (yellow). The photo's striking detail not only
highlights the fascinating complexity of pollen cell at the micro scale but also provides
crucial insight into the structure, size and number of apertures which is of great help in this
PhD project. Thanks to Joanne Lee for helping with the SEM sample preparation and
imaging.