The Invisible Revealed: Nikon Small World 2020 Winners and Breakthroughs

A single microscopic photo shattered a long-held medical belief. Nikon has unveiled the winners of its 46th annual 'Nikon Small World' photomicrography competition. This prestigious event showcases a world invisible to the naked eye, where mesmerizing textures and patterns emerge through the lens of a microscope. This year's top entries don't just offer stunning visuals; they represent significant leaps in scientific understanding.

Nikon Small World 2020 Winners: Where Art Meets Science

Selected from countless entries worldwide, the top 20 winners represent the pinnacle of imaging technology and creative expertise. Here are the top 5 standout rankings from this year's competition:

• 1st Place: Daniel Castranova (Juvenile zebrafish with 350+ images stitched to show lymphatic vessels)
• 2nd Place: Daniel Knop (Embryonic development of a clownfish on days 1, 3, 5, and 9)
• 3rd Place: Dr. Igor Siwanowicz (Tongue/radula of a freshwater snail)
• 4th Place: Dr. Vasileios Kokkoris (Multi-nucleate spores and hyphae of soil fungus)
• 5th Place: Ahmad Fauzan (The intricate structure of a Bogong moth)

Beyond Art: A Scientific Breakthrough in Zebrafish

The 1st place winner, captured by Daniel Castranova, is particularly significant. It revealed that zebrafish have lymphatic vessels inside their skull—a feature previously believed to exist only in mammals. This discovery is expected to expedite research in drug trials and cancer treatments, as fish are far easier to study than mammals.

Eric Flem, Communications Manager at Nikon Instruments, noted that for 46 years, the goal has been to blend art and science. He stated that this year's winner is a "stunning example" of how imaging technology can lead to genuine scientific discovery.