In a striking example of scientific visualization, a video of abnormal airway cilia movement in a child with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) earned the top honor at the 2026 Nikon Small World in Motion competition. The award, now in its 16th year, celebrates the intersection of cutting‑edge microscopy and compelling storytelling.
Why the footage matters
PCD is a rare genetic disorder in which the hair‑like structures called cilia, which line the respiratory tract, beat out of sync. Normally, coordinated ciliary waves clear mucus and debris from the lungs. In affected individuals, the erratic motion hampers clearance, leading to frequent respiratory infections and long‑term lung damage.
“To understand this disease, you need to observe around ten seconds of motion, not just a still image,” said Ning Xu, an optical engineer at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Xu’s team used an advanced microscopic imaging system to record the cilia’s irregular beating in real time, allowing viewers to see the disorder’s dynamics directly.
Competition details
The Nikon Small World in Motion contest invites submissions from anyone interested in scientific photography or video. This year, the competition attracted 347 entries from 40 countries. A panel of experts in science and advanced light microscopy evaluated the entries on technical merit, visual impact, and scientific relevance.
Eric Flem, senior manager of communications and CRM at Nikon Instruments, praised the winning entry: “Xu’s work, and the work of all our winners, reflects the competition’s enduring purpose to inspire wonder, fuel discovery, and showcase the artistry inherent in scientific exploration.”
Other notable entries
Second place went to Nguyen Nam Nhat for a close‑up of a tiny roundworm and a single‑celled Dileptus. Third place was awarded to Benedikt Pleyer for a video of jellyfish larvae suspended in water droplets. Fourth place recognized Andrew Moore’s capture of synchronized cell division in neighboring cells, while fifth place honored Patrick Hickey for visualizing the dynamics of mitochondria (green) and chloroplasts (red) in turtle vine leaf cells.
Implications for research and treatment
By turning microscopic motion into a visual narrative, the winning video offers researchers a new tool for studying ciliary function and dysfunction. Seeing the cilia’s erratic beats in real time can help scientists develop more precise diagnostic criteria and potentially guide therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring coordinated motion.
“When people watch cilia beating, they immediately understand that something beautiful and important is happening inside us,” Xu added. “I think this competition turns microscopy into a shared language.”
Looking ahead
The Nikon Small World in Motion competition continues to highlight how visual media can bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding. As imaging technology advances, more discoveries like Xu’s are likely to emerge, offering fresh insights into rare diseases and the fundamental processes that keep our bodies healthy.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
