The 12 Best Science Images of 2022

from SayoStudio

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year again where we take a look back at some of our favorite pieces from our studio. There were some amazing science discoveries in 2022, and today we’re sharing the best science images we’ve made this past year. We invite you to find some of your own inspiration from SayoStudio science communication visuals, from graphics and illustrations, to 3D animations. Please enjoy the top SayoStudio science images of 2022.

1. Memories Hub in Rainbows Image

Senses. Perception. How do we impart meaning to our encounters? When we see the color red, how do we immediately recall the many potential meanings: whether a stop sign warning, a ripe fruit, or a bleeding cut?

Dr. Jerry Chen of Boston University published research in Science magazine defining the circuitry hubs in our brain that are at the interface of senses and memory. The glass like neurons were created in our 3D software Cinema 4D, and composited and painted further in Photoshop, to show the real-time mRNA expression through the neural network. Learn more from BU’s The Brink.

Art by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio.

2. Photonics Light Chip Science Art

Researchers at CalTech are looking towards the future of processing speed: nanophotonics. Photonic processing is thousands of times faster than electronic computing and with much less bulky equipment that our computer systems today require. Thanks to research by Alireza Marandi’s team, development of quantum optical processors could change the future of communication in ways never thought possible decades prior. Shown here is a lithium chip “squeezing” light on a quantum scale. You can read more about this research on CalTech’s website.

3. Reindeer Skin Regeneration Cell Cover Art

We had the pleasure of working with the Biernaskie lab (University of Calgary) to represent their research, by co-lead authors Sarthak Sinha and Holly Sparks, on how the immune response drives scar formation. Their latest paper reveals findings on studies of antlers and wound healing; more specifically, how antlers shed and heal completely year after year. Scientists think this is due to fibroblasts, which initiate the immune response.

Read more about the science behind antler wound healing in our blog here.

4. Human Cell Atlas: Science Magazine

This year the Human Cell Atlas project published their massive database, set to transform how we look at the cell. We worked with scientists from Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to represent this accomplishment. This milestone is on par with the release of the human genome database, categorizing over one million individual human cells.

It also identifies key differences between cell types in different tissues and their molecular characterizations. Read more about the Human Cell Atlas cover art creation.

5. Artificial Intelligence Chemical Modeling Art

Our Creative Director was able to craft a unique and symbolic sci-art piece for Yuanqing Wang and other researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Robot hands shaking effervescent molecules; showing the molecular mechanics force fields created there. This new tech could fast-track finding small molecule drug targets for cancer patients. Sounds pretty complicated… but the science itself is fascinating! You can read more about the research here.

6. Gentian Creek Preserve Ecology Murals: From Prairie to Forest to Pond

This past year our SayoStudio team of science artists brought to life the Gentian Creek Nature Preserve in two ecology murals for education. Our forest-to-prairie ecology mural showcases a wide variety of flora and fauna native to the Southeastern US. The grassland and forest ecological niches teem with over 30 distinct species of animals. Our team of science illustrators drew each bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect by hand. The final mural is printed to a size around 8′ x 5′, and is currently on display at Gentian Creek Preserve. These murals facilitate learning for many students in the greater Thomas, Georgia school district. Checkout our case study on the ecology mural, and the aquatic art below.

Our second mural depicts a beaver pond on the preserve, highlighting wetland species above and below the water’s surface. Over 23 species interact in the mural, acting as a ‘find and seek’ for visiting students to learn about different ecosystems. Particularly in focus in these murals are native species, which students learn to identify in the mural and out on various trails within Gentian Creek Preserve. Learn more about the process behind this murals on our latest case study.

7. 3D Volcano Animation

8. Sequoia Kings Canyon Forest Fire Art

Early on in 2022, we worked with the folks at Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park to create a series of images depicting stages of forest fires. A thick tangle of small trees and bushes in a redwood forest may seem like a green oasis, but it’s what fuels the most severe wildfires. This piece is one of four, showing varying fire severities and how prescribed burns can reduce the destruction.

9. Science Magazine and Journal Cover art

We had the chance to work on so many incredible research results this past year, featured on numerous science journal and magazine covers. Topics for these covers range from chemical biology, planets, Higgs boson, and more. Read about each one in our article, seven great science journal covers.

10. Rain Oncology – MDM2 Animation

Rain Oncology (formerly Therapeutics) came to SayoStudio to visualize the science behind their latest cancer therapeutic, for use in patient and investor presentations. Many members of our team came together to create illustrated diagrams and a 3D science animation to explain their cancer drug’s mode of action. Learn more about Milademetan by watching our animation below. Animation by SayoStudio’s Christoph Kuehne, Cliff Braverman, Nicolle R. Fuller, Claire Agosti and Laurie Howell.

11. Visualizing Infant Microbiomes

What happens when we think of our microbiome as an ecosystem? Can we pinpoint the ‘keystone’ species? The Arrieta lab (University of Calgary) gave premature babies the beneficial probiotic ‘Bifidobacteria.’ This species has a profound impact on gut health-reducing inflammatory signaling molecules (cytokines), and encouraging a more diverse microbiome that is able to metabolize the unique sugars of a mother’s milk.

12. Computing Consciousness Science Image

Coming full-circle, we return to a nuerology based art piece. But instead of showing a real, fleshed out brain; we went with a symbolic take processing power found in both our brains and newer technology. Researcher Weier Wan and their team at Stanford are developing a tiny but mighty computation chip. Data and memory calculated within this chip are far more energy efficient than AI processing. Read more about Weier Wan’s work here.

 Thank you for reading Best science images 2022!

Unless otherwise noted, all images were created by, and © SayoStudio.

If you feel inspired and would like to join the science art conversation, please sign up for our newsletters!

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