Mosaic of over 700 photos wins annual Moment of Discovery Image competition

Ghost – entered by Zigfriedo Canada, Outpatient Receptionist. Dry ice is used in gene therapy packaging to safely transport medicines. This image captures dry ice reacting with water, producing thick, rolling fog. The effect happens because carbon dioxide gas is released and rapidly cools the surrounding air. A fan was used to create movement in the image, giving it an eerie, almost magical feel while demonstrating a simple but striking scientific reaction.

A forest built for filtration – entered by Emily Moore, PhD Student This image shows branching tubes in a developing mouse kidney. These collecting ducts form like a tree, growing outward from a central point to collect and carry waste to the bladder. The pattern mirrors kidney development in humans, helping scientists understand how healthy kidneys form and how this process can be disrupted by disease.

Ages and ages - entered by Dr Ramy Saad, Clinical Geneticist and Research Fellow This image comes from a study looking at how food related molecules in the body affect how our DNA ages. Each dot represents a person and a nutrient byproduct. When viewed all together, patterns emerge, showing how big data can feel overwhelming yet powerful. Like abstract art, meaning appears when you step back and change your perspective.

Making connections – entered by Dr Michael Boylan, Senior Research Fellow Here we see nerve cells migrating through a mouse embryo. They travel in bundles before branching into the developing limb, where they will connect with muscles. This journey must happen precisely for normal limb movement to be possible. Studying this process helps scientists understand how the nervous system develops, and what can go wrong in genetic conditions.

Complex Disease, Complex Hospital – entered by Dr William A Bryant, Data Science and Insights Lead This diagram shows how different medical specialties at the hospital are connected through shared patients with complex needs. Each line represents interactions during care, such as appointments or hospital stays. Zooming out reveals extensive collaboration across specialties, highlighting the importance of careful planning to deliver coordinated, efficient care for children with complex conditions.

The cellular blue planet – entered by Jasmine Kaur, PhD Student This glowing image shows human kidney cells grown in the lab. Blue marks the nuclei and green highlights the cell structure that gives each cell shape. From afar, it resembles a tiny planet. Scientists use this model to study kidney disease and test treatments that may prevent harmful cell clumping and protect kidney health.

The Olive – entered by Dr Jess Trundle, Research Fellow This image shows a mouse bladder inflated to reveal its layered structure. Fluorescent dyes highlight different collagen networks that help the bladder stretch and contract. Studying this structure helps researchers understand bladder function and disorders, which is crucial for improving treatments for conditions affecting bladder control in children and adults.

Growing tiny tubes – entered by Dr Charlotte O’Riordan, Research Fellow This glowing image shows a lymphatic vessel grown in the lab. Hidden within childhood kidney cancers, these vessels can be used by cancer cells to spread. By recreating them outside the body, researchers can study how cancer hijacks these pathways and begin testing treatments to block this process and improve outcomes for children.

Attack of the stones – entered by Dr Aleksandra Berezowska, Research Fellow and Dr Ian Simcock, Clinical Academic Radiographer Kidney stones can form when tiny minerals in urine stick together and harden into crystals. Some children are more likely to develop them, and moving stones can cause pain and damage. This stone was removed at Great Ormond Street Hospital and scanned using MicroCT, revealing its structure within hours. This rapid insight may help prevent stones returning and support better treatments for children in the future.

Holding your nerve – entered by Joseph Moody & Karoline Martinez MRes Clinical Sciences Students Hirschsprung’s disease affects babies soon after birth, stopping normal bowel movement and causing serious illness. This 3D image shows thickened bowel nerves (green) surrounded by support cells called telocytes (purple). Comparing diseased and healthy bowel reveals changes in this supporting scaffold, highlighting the importance of restoring both nerve cells and their structure in future treatments.

Hands on Haematology – entered by Kristen Black, Senior Play Specialist This photograph shows a sensory activity designed to help children learn about blood through play. Coloured beads and shapes represent red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. By exploring these materials handson, children can better understand blood tests and feel more confident, turning something scary into something familiar and fun.