A computer-generated image mapping the thousands of muscle cells that make up the wall of the heart won top prize at the British Heart Foundation’s annual Reflections of Research science photography competition
By Chen Ly
24 October 2023
“Paths of the heart”, which maps the thousands of muscle cells that make up the wall of the organ, won top prize at the competition
Marina Strocchi/King’s College London/British Heart Foundation
First prize went to this computer-generated image that maps the thousands of muscle cells that make up the wall of the heart. Each tiny line represents a bundle of cells that sends electrical signals to each other.
The “Paths of the heart” image was submitted by Marina Strocchi at King’s College London, who hopes that by visualising how electrical signals travel through the heart we can better predict how individuals will respond to different treatments for cardiovascular conditions.
Advertisement
“Seeing through the heart” highlights the blood vessels around the outside of the organ and the electrical system at its centre Judy Sayers, University of Oxford, British Heart Foundation – Reflections of Research
Captured by Judy Sayers at the University of Oxford, “Seeing through the heart” won the supporters’ favourite category at the competition. The glows of orange depict the blood vessels around the heart, with the thick branch on the left being the coronary artery, while the largest bright spots show the upper chambers of the heart. Nestled in the middle of the organ is its intertwining electrical system, which causes the heart to beat.
“A close-up view of vascular first aid kits” shows a blood vessel in minute detail Sammy El-Mansi/Queen Mary University of London/British Heart Foundation