March 13, 2025, Oxford, UK – Leica Microsystems was proud to see the STELLARIS STED super-resolution microscopy system at the heart of groundbreaking research recognized by Cancer Research UK’s Research is Beautiful campaign. The monthly winning image, captured by Danny Gold, a DPhil student in Professor Francis Barr’s lab at the University of Oxford, showcases the intricate process of chromosome segregation during cell division.
The STELLARIS STED technology used by Danny is located in the Micron Bioimaging Facility at the University of Oxford. With it, he captured highly detailed images of microtubules attaching to chromosomes via kinetochores, forming the mitotic spindle—an essential structure for accurate chromosome distribution. This level of detail, made possible by TauSTED Xtend, is crucial for understanding how errors in cell division can contribute to cancer through chromosome instability. TauSTED Xtend is the next step in the evolution of STED imaging and combines lifetime-based information with an additional spatial readout, resulting in a significant gain in resolution.
Danny says: “Cutting-edge STED (Stimulated Emission Depletion) microscopy is enabling me to understand how cells share out their chromosomes in much greater detail. Each chromosome in the cell has a tiny structure – a kinetochore – which binds to microtubules, which are themselves a thousand times thinner than a human hair.”
“When the cell divides, microtubules attach to the chromosomes by their kinetochores and form a beautiful structure called the mitotic spindle. The microtubules then pull individual chromosomes into the daughter cells, ensuring every new cell has a copy of each and every chromosome. This process often goes awry in cancers, causing something called chromosome instability and ever more damaged cells.”
Danny’s work exemplifies how advanced imaging tools, such as the Leica STELLARIS STED microscope, are not only helping to push the boundaries of cell biology but also enabling researchers to uncover the beauty and complexity of life at the molecular level. We are honoured to support scientists like Danny, and to collaborate with leading facilities such as Micron, in advancing life science research.
Find out more at:
https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/03/13/latest-winner-in-our-research-is-beautiful-campaign-8/
Watch Danny talking about his winning image on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNBMUTiNht3/?igsh=dnZxam5lajBrazdp
