Jellyfish Swarm 

A swarm of microscopic Toxoplasma parasites search for a cell to invade, resembling a jellyfish bloom drifting through the ocean.

The magenta ‘tentacles’ radiating down the parasite are part of its cytoskeleton, which helps give Toxoplasma its unique shape. The blue represents its nucleus, which contains DNA.

Up to 30% of the global population is infected with Toxoplasma parasites. While many have only mild symptoms, or none at all, toxoplasmosis can be life-threatening for people with weakened immune systems and babies who are exposed in the womb.

With no vaccines available, researchers are investigating the mechanisms the parasites use to invade and persist within the body, with the hope of generating new treatments and vaccines to prevent infection.

Artists

• Niall Geoghegan
• Sai Lekkala
• Alex Uboldi