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Description: This illustration represents an artistic depiction of dark matter as the invisible force that quietly shapes and holds the universe together, influencing galaxies, clusters, and the vast structure of the cosmos through its gravitational pull. In much the same way, according to the artist, the spirit of the holiday season is an unseen force that draws humanity together.

This image shows immunofluorescence imaging of Xenia soft coral cells. Cell nuclei are shown in blue, actin filaments in red, microtubules in green, and symbiotic algae in gray through autofluorescence.

A close-up photograph of a seahorse anchored by its prehensile tail to the stalk of aquatic vegetation, showcasing its natural camouflage and delicate morphology.

This image shows the blue nuclei of a cluster of cells called a germline cyst in the ovary of an African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis).

One or more of these sister cells will develop into eggs, while the others will serve as nurse cells. Extended and branched scaffolds, called microtubules, connect the cells and are visible here in green. Centrioles—the organizing centers from which microtubules grow—are marked in magenta. This image illustrates how sister cells within a cyst interact, sharing molecules through microtubule networks that resemble a spider’s web.

IMAGE CREDIT: ASYA DAVIDIAN, POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE | SPRADLING LAB | BIOSPHERE SCIENCES & ENGINEERING

This image shows two chromosomes labeled with cyan (chromosome 1) and magenta (chromosome 4) fluorescent tags in heart muscle cells that are lacking the protein Lamin-B1. This important nucleoskeletal protein plays a crucial role in organization of the nuclear envelope. Without it, chromosomes are stretched and distorted, creating a galaxy-like appearance.

Artist: Katherine Bossone, Graduate Student, Zheng Lab Biosphere Sciences and Engineering 

This artwork features a rainbow-colored moon as a metaphor for Earth and climate change. The stars around the moon symbolize endless possibilities in the universe, emphasizing our duty to protect our planet while exploring the cosmos. It was created by blending vibrant colors into a moon-shaped canvas, with the intent to underscore the interconnectedness and responsibilities of all humankind to safeguard our planet as we venture further into the galaxies beyond our own. 

Image by Frances George, Assistant Business Manager, Carnegie Observatories 

This is an image of lamin proteins, a component of the cytoskeleton, found in trophoblast cells during the blastocyst stage of a mouse embryo. The image was captured during an experiment at the Department of Embryology which was studying whether a particular lamin gene is preferentially expressed in cells destined to become the placenta. 
Sara Debic, Graduate Student, Carnegie Science Biosphere Sciences & Engineering | Department of Embryology