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Polar Flare
Created | 2024

Casting rainbow colours like a diamond ring, Polar Flare depicts phase separation inside a crystallisation droplet, which is used to help grow crystals of proteins. 

Researchers Julie and Roxanne regularly attempt to grow crystals of proteins, which allow them to see and study different protein structures. The shape and form of proteins can teach us how they work. 

By understanding their structures, we can design new drugs to target proteins effectively, leading to better treatments for various diseases. 

While light waves vibrate in all directions, polarised light filters out all directions except one, to reveal details not seen under regular light. This particular droplet has been viewed under polarising light to reveal its features, showing how different parts of the droplet separate out into distinct regions. 

Artists

  • Roxanne Smith 

Julie Nguyen Roxanne Smith

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Illuminate Spring 2024
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