Precious Cells

This artwork delves into the fascinating story of donated human embryos that are used in scientific research to understand how we develop: from a fertilised egg to a functioning human being. 

This artwork was informed by a series of conversations between members of the public, scientists who work with early human embryos and the artist. Embryos that are produced for fertility treatment but will not be used for family building are a hugely valuable resource for scientists who rely on the generosity of patients to donate them for research. 
A better understanding of early human development may one day lead to better treatments for many conditions such as infertility, childhood cancers, spina bifida, heart defects and many other conditions.

In the artwork, the golden colour of the tiny clusters of cells represents their preciousness for research. The liquid environment in which they are depicted represents the environment in which human embryos develop in the lab. The 3D digital models of embryos are based on microscope images from laboratory research.

An interactive version of the work can be accessed on phones, tablets and computers here https://annadumitriu.co.uk/portfolio/precious-cells/

Credit: Anna Dumitriu. The artwork was supported by the Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI) and the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge. Funded by Wellcome. Coding and 3d modelling by Alex May.