by Diane Boudreau

The invention of the microscope in the 17th century opened up whole new worlds to humanity. As one peers through the deeply curved lens, a clear drop of water becomes a virtual zoo of alien-looking life forms. A tiny blood vessel becomes a superhighway of cells.

Advances in microscopy have paved the way for advances in everything from medicine to computers. But the images seen through a microscope’s lens are more than just useful. Often, they are quite beautiful.

Spore Formation :: Many fungi produce spores as their primary means of dissemination and asexual reproduction. The fact that fungi are able to flourish in diverse environments, playing both beneficial and detrimental roles, is due largely to this characteristic of their life cycle. This image shows spores of the common mold Aspergillus nidulans, seen in a frozen-hydrated state with a cryo-scanning electron microscope.

Robert Roberson is sharing the beauty of the microscopic world outside the walls of the science lab. Roberson is a professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. He teaches courses on cell biology and bioimaging—a field that includes microscopy as well as other techniques like CAT scans and MRIs. Roberson’s research is focused on fungi and cyanobacteria. He uses a variety of imaging tools to learn about the structure and function of the cells he studies.

Until recently, Roberson’s images appeared mainly in scholarly journals, conference presentations, or his own classes. But their shapes, patterns and colors can be aesthetically pleasing and meaningful to any observer.

“Shapes and patterns repeat themselves on a microscopic and macroscopic level,” explains Roberson. “I see patterns in my work. The things that cells do and the patterns they create are microcosms of the larger world.”

Roberson has always viewed microscopy as an art as well as a science. When one of the curators of Tilt Gallery in Phoenix asked if he was interested in putting together an exhibit, he jumped at the chance.

“I thought it was a great honor,” says Roberson.

“The World Within: Visualizing the Biology of Cells” debuted at Tilt Gallery during the First Friday Art Walk in October 2006. Since then it has appeared at Coffee Buzz coffeehouse in Ahwatukee, Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe, and the Art Hallway of ASU’s Memorial Union. It was also featured on television on Good Morning Arizona. In October 2007, Roberson’s exhibit was shown at the Arizona Science Center.

The ASU scientist has been pleasantly surprised by all the interest in his work. “I know people in the art business and they are sort of amazed and pleased by the interest it has generated,” he says.

All of the images in the exhibit come from actual research projects. With minor exceptions, such as cropping or overlaying, there have been no changes from microscope to gallery.

Taking pictures with a microscope is a lot like regular photography. After doing the hard work of choosing and preparing samples, Roberson takes a lot of pictures to be sure he gets what he needs.

“You never know which images will be most valuable for your work,” he explains. “You put a few pictures in a publication, but before that you’ve studied hundreds. That’s the fun, creative part. Even when using the microscope I’m envisioning how the images will fit into a publication. I’m constantly thinking about orientation and presentation.”

For more information, contact Robert Roberson at 480.965.8618. Send email to robby2@asu.edu