Pretty little things: seeing the beauty in science

Nadia Rajab, a PhD student at the Centre for Stem Cell Systems, was recently invited to submit images of her work for its inclusion in the “Pretty Little Things” artwork project by The Cutaway

Pretty Little Things” by The Cutaway is an artwork collaboration between University of Melbourne and the Metro Tunnel Project. Nadia Rajab, a PhD student at the Centre for Stem Cell Systems, was recently invited to submit images of her work for its inclusion in the artwork display. The art installation that her images are a part of has won the A' Graphics and Visual Communication Design Award in the prestigious A' Design Awards.

Nadia’s work involves using pluripotent stem cells to develop macrophages in a dish.

Macrophages, a cell of the immune system, play important roles in the body both in health and disease. Most of our understanding of how macrophages function has come about through studies using animal models including mice.

By growing macrophages from stem cells, Nadia is contributing to the development of a model relevant to human genetics that can be used to advance our understanding of these incredibly important immune cells.

To conduct her research, Nadia spends a lot of time looking down the microscope. There she can see the beauty in science.

"To be a researcher is a privilege: we can see the beauty that has stemmed from our own curiosity’’ says Nadia.

The two images creatively used in the art installation were the capturing of two different stages in the process of making macrophage-like cells in a dish.

"’These two moments in time were two of the most exciting moments in the early days of my work when I realised something incredible was happening’’.

Article by Helen  Braybrook

More Information

Nadia Rajab

rajabn@student.unimelb.edu.au