Wormhole  

Glia cells are the support cells of our brain and spinal cord, helping neurons work properly, providing nutrients, and protecting against damage and infection.

The main subset of glia cells are astrocytes, which help regulate the brain’s environment. Pictured here in orange and yellow, long extensions of astrocytes form a dense network, responding to the presence of a fast-growing and dangerous brain tumour, by walling it off.

Verena and Alex are using confocal laser scanning microscopy to understand the relationship between cancer cells and healthy brain cells. Their research hopes to uncover new ways of treating paediatric high-grade gliomas, particularly devastating brain cancers affecting young people that have no known cure.

Artists

• Verena Wimmer
• Alex Davenport