"Immune Landscape" Art Gallery

Overview

“The Immune Landscape” art gallery was made possible thanks to the generous support of LJI Board Director Barbara Donnell, M.A., a long-time advocate for scientific advancement and career development programs at LJI. Donnell says that touring LJI’s Microscopy and Histology Core Facility inspired her to look for ways to highlight the intersection between art and science.

Revealing the hidden beauty of immune cells, these stunning microscopy images bring to life the intricate world of immune cells. The images dispatch us through the lens of a powerful microscope into real tissue structures, where we land amidst immune cells at work. Each colorful panorama is the product of researchers delicately staining a tissue sample and then digitally altering the visuals to differentiate between the tissue structures and immune cells.

Here, you’ll witness how researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology explore the secrets of the immune system, one microscopic detail at a time—in real time. Thanks to a generous gift from Michael and Ellise Coit, our Microscopy and Histology Core Facilities acquired an advanced multiplex imaging technology, enabling LJI scientists to study the immune system’s response to cancers, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases.

By transforming scientific discovery into art, we aim to inspire, educate, and spark curiosity in all who visit. We invite you to linger, reflect, and discover the beauty within science.

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This image shows the layers of protection built into our skin. The top layer of skin cells (light blue) is followed by a thicker network of collagen bers (purple) with macrophages (dark blue). Ovals of hair follicles and sweat glands make their appearance, just above the layer of muscles (green). Underneath, cozy in a layer of fat sits a large lymph node, packed with B cells (purple) and T cells (yellow and orange). This strategic location helps to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and vector- transmitted diseases such as Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses.
This image shows the layers of protection built into our skin. The top layer of skin cells (light blue) is followed by a thicker network of collagen bers (purple) with macrophages (dark blue). Ovals of hair follicles and sweat glands make their appearance, just above the layer of muscles (green). Underneath, cozy in a layer of fat sits a large lymph node, packed with B cells (purple) and T cells (yellow and orange). This strategic location helps to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and vector- transmitted diseases such as Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses.
We are looking at a mouse spleen with lymphoid follicles (pink) hugged by the layer of supporting cells (red). Germinal centers (purple) on the top of the image are lled with large, multiplying B cells. T cells are located close to B cells while macrophages (green and yellow) keep a larger distance. Images like these help us to better understand how to make more eective vaccines.
We are looking at a mouse spleen with lymphoid follicles (pink) hugged by the layer of supporting cells (red). Germinal centers (purple) on the top of the image are lled with large, multiplying B cells. T cells are located close to B cells while macrophages (green and yellow) keep a larger distance. Images like these help us to better understand how to make more eective vaccines.
The egg-shaped structures seen in this fragment of the human palate are lymphoid follicles—places where germinal centers form to shape the antibody immune response. Each color signies a dierent marker of immune cells and the structures that support them. This new technology called multiplexing allows us to paint the landscapes of diseases and normal tissues with a stunning pallet of 17 colors.
The egg-shaped structures seen in this fragment of the human palate are lymphoid follicles—places where germinal centers form to shape the antibody immune response. Each color signies a dierent marker of immune cells and the structures that support them. This new technology called multiplexing allows us to paint the landscapes of diseases and normal tissues with a stunning pallet of 17 colors.
This piece of mouse liver illustrates the incredible architecture of our bodies. Cells are precisely arranged to form a network of channels (light orange) that are lined by macrophage cells (red). Some cells in the liver have multiple nuclei (purple), which help them optimize their metabolism. Viral infections, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases that disturb this structure can lead to the formation of liver tumors.
This piece of mouse liver illustrates the incredible architecture of our bodies. Cells are precisely arranged to form a network of channels (light orange) that are lined by macrophage cells (red). Some cells in the liver have multiple nuclei (purple), which help them optimize their metabolism. Viral infections, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases that disturb this structure can lead to the formation of liver tumors.
This human tonsil shows a heightened state of immune activation. The orange orbs are germinal centers—places where B cells multiply and compete to become better antibody producers. They get help from the follicular T helper cells (blue) and are surrounded by a mesh of other immune cells. Take a closer look at blue cells with red centers: they are regulatory T cells. Fuchsia-stained cells on the right are lining the dome of the tonsil. The proper functioning of these immune cells guards us against pathogens, autoimmune diseases, and cancers.
This human tonsil shows a heightened state of immune activation. The orange orbs are germinal centers—places where B cells multiply and compete to become better antibody producers. They get help from the follicular T helper cells (blue) and are surrounded by a mesh of other immune cells. Take a closer look at blue cells with red centers: they are regulatory T cells. Fuchsia-stained cells on the right are lining the dome of the tonsil. The proper functioning of these immune cells guards us against pathogens, autoimmune diseases, and cancers.
A mouse small intestine sample shows nger-like projections lined with epithelial cells (green), guarded by T cells (red). Inammatory bowel diseases and celiac disease often start at this interface. Take a look at the orange layer of neurons sandwiched between the muscle cells (fuchsia). On closer inspection, you can nd immune cells called macrophages (deep blue) that are in direct contact with the orange neurons.
A mouse small intestine sample shows nger-like projections lined with epithelial cells (green), guarded by T cells (red). Inammatory bowel diseases and celiac disease often start at this interface. Take a look at the orange layer of neurons sandwiched between the muscle cells (fuchsia). On closer inspection, you can nd immune cells called macrophages (deep blue) that are in direct contact with the orange neurons.

New LJI art gallery celebrates the body’s microscopic ‘landscape’

Step inside the new LJI Art Gallery and experience how science and creativity intertwine in stunning works that reveal the body’s microscopic beauty. 

Read About the Gallery

Watch to Dive Deeper into the Immune System

Film credit: Barbara Donnell, Matthew Ellenbogen, Zbigniew Mikulski