Posted: 5-Feb-2007 << BACK
Lyndsay Moss health correspondant - The Scotsman
Viruses have been given an artistic make-over as part of an exhibition in Glasgow which opens today. Scientists and artist Murray Robertson have worked together to turn viruses such as cold, flu and hepatitis C into works of art. Mr Robertson took images captured under the microscope by the Medical Research Council's virology unit, to create the exhibition at Glasgow's Science Centre.
The launch coincides with the arrival in Glasgow of a new 780,000 electron microscope - the first of its kind in Scotland. It will let scientists see for the first time in three dimensions a cell infected with a virus. Until now they have had to build a 3D image from a series of 2D images.
The new exhibition takes images used in research into human viruses at a molecular and structural level. Dr David Bhella, from the MRC's virology unit, said: "Viruses have a major impact on our lives - from day to day illnesses like colds to life- threatening illnesses like hepatitis C.
"They are beautiful to look at but their aesthetic fascination belies a ruthlessly efficient and destructive lifestyle."
Mr Robertson added: "It is unusual to blend art and science in this way but the resulting images are striking and in- triguing.
"It is a privilege to glimpse something that is normally unseen by the human eye."
The exhibition runs until 30 April in the Atrium of the Science Centre.
click here to view some of the images
click here to read related news item Fighting The Enemy Within
