Corals Under the Confocal Microscope

A Coral Symbiome 

Congratulations to HIMB's Chris Farrar, Zac Forsman, Ruth Gates, Jo-Ann Leong and Rob Toonen  for the  selection of their video "Coral Under Confocal" for recognition in the 2012 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the challenge acknowledges the importance of the visual arts in communicating and understanding the nature of the world around us. To quote from the site, "Some of science's most powerful statements are not made in words. From DaVinci's Vitruvian Man to Rosalind Franklin's X-rays, science visualization has a long and literally illustrious history."

The video from the Gates and Toonen labs does a fantastic job of conveying information about corals and coral reefs, all within a few short minutes and with very some compelling imagery. I admit I found the near robotic glide of the rotifer quite entertaining, while Leon liked the fact that the coral larvae have cilia to help them swim, so they can find a place to reside of their own choosing.

No more needs to be said. Just watch the video below!

Aloha,

Mark