On Wednesday, April 13, at 6 pm Deborah L. Gumucio, U of M Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology and Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, will provide an exhibit tour with anecdotes about the artwork and research, which is free and open to the public. University researchers united from a variety of disciplines at the center use cutting-edge advances in microscopic imaging technology to analyze cellular activity by viewing transparent tissue samples stained to identify specific cellular components. Gumucio says imaging is always in the forefront in order to observe the morphology of the cells, which come to life in vibrant color by being exposed to these stains. Gumucio explains that through this process “…right away we start seeing the artistic side of things. If you look closely at any tissue you cannot help but be thrilled by the way the cell looks. It’s so symmetric and colorful. The forms and shapes are beautiful.”
Over sixty million people are affected by organ damage and organ related diseases each year. The mission of the Center for Organogenesis is to design new and effective strategies to treat disease and repair damaged organs by studying organ formation, function and disease. The artistic inspiration that Gumucio described brought about BioArtography, a fundraiser for their graduate and post-graduate training program juried by professors from the Biology and Art Departments annually. Contributors submit artwork along with narratives in lay language explaining form, function and application of their research from labs across the United States and proceeds go directly to the center’s training program.
“I believe this is BioArtography’s first gallery exhibit, and we are happy to host. We hope to make information about scientific advances accessible through these compelling abstract images here in Lapeer County by exposing the art behind science,” says Gallery 194 Director Carolyn Manley McCarter. “This artwork encourages interaction; it makes biological research inviting to those of us who might otherwise be intimidated by it.”
Gallery 194, located at the corner of Court and West Nepessing Streets in downtown Lapeer next to the historic Pix Theater, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is always free and open to the public. For more information log onto www.gallery194.com or call 810-667-1495.
