Staff from across UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UCL GOS ICH) and GOSH including the National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR GOSH BRC) were invited to submit images that highlighted any aspect of their life-changing research that helps find treatments and cures for some of the most complex illnesses, transforming the lives of seriously ill children both in the UK and across the world. These ranged from beautiful microscopy to intricate representations of data and photography.
The winning image, ‘Leukocyte Kaleidoscope’ entered by PhD student Christina Burke (UCL GOS ICH) shows immune cells in the tonsil tissue. Among the blues and pinks are T- cells, which play an important role in fighting cancer. Those surrounded by a yellow ring are at risk of becoming over-stimulated, or ‘exhausted’. Christina’s team are looking at images like this to better under how T-cells interact with other cells within a tumour.
11 shortlisted images were put before three panels – the Young People's Advisory Group for research (YPAG), NIHR GOSH BRC partners and the NIHR GOSH BRC Junior Faculty. Each panel chose a favourite, and of these, Leukocyte Kaleidoscope was voted as a winner at the NIHR GOSH BRC 2022 virtual showcase.
Christina Burke said: " I am so grateful to this competition for allowing me to share our tumour immunity research with a wider audience – most importantly, with patients and their families, whom this work will benefit the most.
Research images enable us to unravel some of the mystery surrounding the inside of a tumour, and make it accessible for all. By understanding more about the make-up of tumours, we become armed with the knowledge needed to design better, more tolerable therapies.”
Mat Shaw, CEO of GOSH said: "This image competition is a great way to capture the breadth of research being conducted across GOSH and our partners. Our vison is to be a Research Hospital where all staff and patients are involved in research. We are incredibly proud of our researchers and their world-class work which has the potential to change the lives of seriously ill children and young people.”
Links
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
- Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Full set of images and GOSH story
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital BRC
Image
Credit: PhD student Christina Burke's 'Leukocyte Kaleidoscope'
Media contact
Rowan Walker
Tel: +44 (0)20 3108 8515
Email: rowan.walker [at] ucl.ac.uk
