Nikon Small World in Motion‘s 2026 winner has been announced, showcasing a groundbreaking video that reveals the real-time mechanics of a rare genetic disorder. This impressive microscopy captures the intricate details of cellular behavior, offering new insights into complex biological processes.
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First prize was awarded to Dr. Ning Xu of Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. His remarkable video displays the erratic beating of airway cilia in a child with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). This condition prevents the coordinated ciliary movement vital for clearing mucus and debris from the lungs. Ning’s footage, magnified 100 times using advanced super-resolution microscopy, vividly portrays this dysfunction.
Capturing this imagery wasn’t simple. The cilia are tiny and fast-moving, requiring the sample to remain alive and unaltered. Standard high-resolution microscopy can potentially harm cells, but Ning’s team innovatively used precise light control to minimize damage while capturing clear, high-resolution video. This intricate work captures the delicate balance between scientific inquiry and technical innovation.
Dr. Ning emphasized the importance of video over still images for understanding disease: “To understand this disease, you need to watch the cilia through dozens of beat cycles, not just a still image.” He also highlighted the power of video as a universal scientific language that makes complex biological processes immediately understandable.
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Outstanding Imagery: Runner-Ups
Second place went to Nguyen Nam Nhat from Vietnam, showcasing a video of a roundworm and Dileptus captured with differential interference contrast at 40x. Third place was awarded to Benedikt Pleyer from Germany for a darkfield video of jellyfish larvae in water droplets at 25x. He also received honorable mentions for other compelling entries.
Fourth place was claimed by Dr. Andrew Moore for his confocal video of synchronized cell division at 63x. Dr. Patrick Hickey earned fifth place for his footage of mitochondrial and chloroplast dynamics in Turtle Vine leaves at 40x. These captivating videos offer viewers an intimate view into the fascinating world of microscopic life.
This year’s competition featured 347 entries from 40 countries, assessed by a distinguished panel including Dr. Joe Dragavon, Quinten Geldhof, Corey S. Powell, and Dr. Meredith Sagolla.
Nikon Small World in Motion launched in 2011 as a dynamic counterpart to the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition, running since 1974. For more mesmerizing entries, visit the official contest website.
[Video courtesy of Nikon Small World]
Source: diyphotography.net
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Nikon Small World in Motion 2026?
First prize was awarded to Dr. Ning Xu of Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
What does the winning video of the competition show?
The winning video displays the erratic beating of airway cilia in a child with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).
How did the winning team capture high-resolution video without harming cells?
Ning’s team used precise light control to minimize damage while capturing clear, high-resolution video.