Art of Science Memphis http://artofsciencememphis.com artofsciencememphis@gmail.com twitter: ragartofsci Catalog design & branding by Lauren Rae Holtermann http://holtermonster.com
Introduction 5
by Taylor Martin
Organizer’s Statements 6 by Matthew Garcia, PhD Heather Smallwood, PhD Lauren Rae Holtermann
Curatorial Statement 8
by Taylor Martin, Curator
Pricing Guide 29 Opening Night 30 Sponsorship Spotlight: 3i 34 Organizer Bios 35
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Johnathan Auger, Drs. Doug Green & Stephen Tait
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Candace Canerdy, Drs. Adolfo Alfonso & Suzanne Jackowski
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Brenda Brady Colburn, St. Jude Electron Microscopy, Drs. Mondira Kundu & Jennifer Martinez
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Holly Cole, Dr. Liquin Zhu
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Gadsby Creson, Dr. David Solecki
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Melissa Dunn, Dr. Thomas (Trey) Oguin, M.S. & Dr. Paul Thomas
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Eliisha Gold, Dr. Darcy Miller
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Adam Geary, Dr. Christine Oshansky-Weilnau
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Suzy Hendrix, Drs. Kip Guy & Armand Guiguemde
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Ashley Leem, St. Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Deanna Langfitt
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Mary Long-Postal, St. Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Josh Parsons
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Bill McKessy & William van Justice, St. Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Raquel
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Sunny Montgomery, St. Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Sharon Frase
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Haley Morris-Cafiero, St. Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Cliff Guy
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Howard Paine, Dr. Jill Lahti
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Alex Paulus, Dr. Michael Taylor & Ms. Robyn Umans
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Eszter Sziksz, St. Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Deanna Langfitt
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Susan Younger, Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Brandon Cox
Art of Science is the culmination of a six-month process of collaboration between local artists and research scientists working for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The results of this process culminated into an exhibition that debuted on June 24, 2011 at Marshall Arts Gallery. Twenty artists were selected from a group of nearly one hundred applicants. Each was paired with a scientist, given an image created by them and used in their research, and prompted to make a work in response. Six individuals organized the project, motivated by a shared appreciation for accessible education, and desire to bring new ideas to discussions in the public sphere. The focus of the exhibition is to weave unity between two fields often characterized only by the differences between them. This was achieved both in poetic and educational terms. Artists’ responses varied from traditional approaches to abstract painting and drawing, photography, and sculpture—to technologically based works of sculpture and new media installation. Consistent enthusiasm was expressed on all fronts throughout the process in its entirety, and was met by an even greater audience response than was ever anticipated. Through this collaboration, the exhibition aimed to create a bridge between the science and art communities of Memphis. You hold in your hands a catalog documenting this unprecedented collaboration, with in-depth explanations from the research scentists and statements from the artists. Enjoy. -Taylor Martin Rozelle Artists Guild 5
The idea for the show originated nearly 10 years ago while I was finishing up my undergraduate degree. I was participating in this summer research fellowship at the University of Kentucky in a neurodegenerative disease lab (the lab where I would eventually complete my graduate training) and my research project for the summer was to stain brain slices from Alzheimer’s patients in order to investigate further the pathology involved in the disease. This required mounting very thin brain slices onto microscope slides, delicate work, which could only be done with the most out of place of tools in a research lab, a fine tip paintbrush. After mounting, the slices would be stained with dyes and fluorescent markers, and underneath the microscope what awaited me was not only scientific knowledge, but also an amazing spectacle of art. Science it seemed was an art. Over a year ago now, I met Shea Colburn of the Rozelle Artists Guild at a Live from Memphis reception in downtown Memphis. A discussion led to some notes scribbled down on a napkin, which lead to a proposal, and ultimately to what you see here today. From its inception one of the key components to this show, indeed what makes it unique from all other art and science exhibitions has been this commitment to engaging the two professions of art and science in a collaborative effort to produce something novel, while at the same time communicating the importance of biomedical research, particularly that which occurs at St Jude, to the health and well being of our local community. But on a much larger scale, this project also demonstrates to me what can occur when two seemingly dissimilar groups unite for a larger goal. Whatever our profession, or background, we are part of a larger community, and by working together, there is no limit to what we can do. Finally, this type of project, and how it came together as it did, doesn’t happen in many other places like it has here in Memphis. In my time here I’ve seen first hand the resurgence of this city, and it’s because of the efforts of people like the ones present here tonight that this renaissance has become possible, and for that I thank you, and your city thanks you -Dr. Matthew Garcia 6
One aspect of the Art of Science project that appeals to me is the concept of bringing together these two groups of professionals who were previously more united by a liberal arts education, but now as education is more specialized, they tend to exist in separate realms. What strikes me about these two professions is they rely so heavily on imagination. Science requires the ability to fully conceptualize and mentally recreate aspects of reality that in general cannot be physically sensed, and expand upon that to create concepts to be validated. Conversely, art is inspired by that which is sensed or experienced in the physical world and then projected directly, transformed, reinterpreted or recapitulated to reflect the artist’s version of reality or non-reality based entirely upon their imagination. Aside from creative aspects that unite artists and scientists, talent aids in success in these fields, but true excellence requires obsessive commitment that transcends material, emotional and worldly barriers such that it might be found irrational by those not afflicted with the love of these pursuits. Thus I felt it was important to bring these groups together and allow them to interact, create and perhaps communicate with each other and to the public what makes their respective fields so unique, important and valuable to our society. -Dr. Heather Smallwood
Rozelle Artists Guild has been operating in some form or fashion for nearly five years, through the dedication of a core group of artists united through our common education at Memphis College of Art. Collaboration has always been the basis of Rozelle’s functions, dating back to the initial forming of the collective during collaborative drawing sessions. In the early days, our goal was to transform a dilapidated warehouse in an open studio with the facilities and equipment neeeded to aid recent art school graduates with the supportive community necessary to foster artistic growth. Since then we have reevaluated both what our collective skills can offer the city of Memphis, and what the arts community as a whole can gain from our efforts. Over the years, we’ve moved ooutside of the warehouse and organized a multitude of projects, ranging from public art installations, interactive murals, mail-order sketchbook exhibitions, and events that could have only been made so successful through collaboration with local organizations like ArtsMemphis, Five In One, and Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Although we have striven to introduce new forms of art into our shows, such as video installations at techno music shows, acoustic musicians at gallery openings, or even circus performances during live mural events, the Art of Science stands alone as one our oddest--and most successful--collaborations to date. While we have over the years grown a quite varied group of followers, the science community has never been a significant part of that. Art of Science was not only a collaboration between the six organizers (three artists, two scientists & a musician), but between these two very different communities that both thrive in the city of Memphis. If our aim was to instigate the bridging of a gap between art and science, not just conceptually, but societally, I think this show has done that, and we are proud to have had a hand in it. -Lauren Rae Holtermann Rozelle Artists Guild
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Thankfully, this is not the case. Medical science, and the science as a whole harnessed this basic technology and took it in astounding directions. The result being a steady, yet rapid advancement that became the most important agent in governing the most epic of problems we encounter bodily as humankind.
By Taylor Martin Consider, for a moment, that the microscope were never invented; That for instance, the theoretical concerns surrounding photography in the mid-twentieth century turned in favor of visual art, staking it’s claim to the photographic image. Now consider how our perceptions and daily use of such technology, and technology in general might have developed differently, and just how far off this hypothetical scenario may be from our contemporary experience of today. We can assume the world might still have developed a similar imagery system, and similar overabundance, but we would essentially only be seeing--and living—only half of our current understanding of visual experience. The introduction of optic enhancement and photographic imaging to the realm of scientific research provoked an immediate explosion of progress within the field. It has not slowed down to this day. Suppose whatever scientific knowledge we came to have a grasp of was based purely on assumption, theory, and arbitrary experimentation. Furthermore, consider that the various problems of our physical reality developed in the same way they did, unaffected by the microscope and its absence. Would our ability to deal with dramas of contemporary experience seem completely stagnant in comparison? 8
Science and Visual Art are often viewed only in contrast— This happens at a casual level, but also has occurred throughout the history of each, and supplementary discourse surrounding these histories. The central, common, intuitive claim is that science seems fully concerned with stating fact, which of course it is. Art is its inverse in that it thrives within a state of pure speculation. However, there are a number of similarities, brought up even in this simplest of comparisons, that overshadow obvious differences in practice to a profound degree. Knowledge concerning our world at a cellular level, particularly in relation to the human body, has been acquired via the use of constantly advancing image technology. One key similarity that trumps this aforementioned difference is that the scientist must first envision what he or she is trying to see, in order to prove it exists. Then, and only then are they able to know how and where to look, what must be done to make it visible, and what to make of this afterwards. Once the problem is identified, a quantifiable method is of meticulous and arduous steps is employed—Once this happens a central problem is pinpointed, what must be done to capture an image that certifies the problem’s cause is revealed. Innovative techniques such as the cutting of cells and staining of it’s components with fluorescent dyes expose truth as it happens at a microscopic level. The resulting images possess a hyper-aesthetic quality in their vibrancy, and the fascinating, frantic activity we see distilled. Thus, images of bacteria colonies, something most would normally find repulsive, inherits a mysterious, universal allure. Without a doubt, this type of investigation requires a great degree of what we term “creativity” to realize, along with an even greater understanding of the highly specialized analytical practices of the scientific profession.
Art behaves more as a converse to this process, rather than a polar opposite. The fields are not so much a binary as they are a dichotomy. Each relies on, and shares similar basic notions or attitudes required of an individual who practices it. Essentially, this intersection reveals they cannot be independent of one another, but are instead codependent uses of different ways of seeing that blend to form the image of reality as we experience it. . . . . . Artists were selected for this exhibition based upon a criterion of how each could contribute to a dialogue between two fields that seem very different. Each was given images created by a medical research scientist, and then made a work in response with the scientist acting as a consultant. Through connections made by this process, the exhibition was able to highlight similarities between these fields in a way far more profound than any differences one might find. Several aspects of the project give its message the potential to reach a much wider-than-usual audience. Our goal was to bring engaging, accessible education to all sectors of community that surround this work.
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indicates a piece is for sale
this image courtesy of Stephen Tait
Drs. Doug Green and
Autophagy is when a cell degrades it’s own components. Autophagy is a tightly-regulated process and is a normal part of cell growth, development, and homeostasis. Autophagy helps maintain a balance between the synthesizing new cellular components and degrading old ones results in the recycling of cellular products. When cells lack nutrients, this process helps in the reallocation of nutrients from unnecessary processes to moreessential processes. In general, autophagy involves the formation of a membrane around regions of the cell (red), separating the contents from the rest of the cytoplasm of the cell (green) for degrading and recycling the contents. Autophagy was first described in the 1960s but is still not well understood. The role of autophagy in disease is remains elusive. It may help to prevent or slow neurodegeneration and cancer and it may play a protective role against intracellular pathogens infection. However, in some situations it is also thought to contribute to disease development. The immunology department of St Jude studies the core molecular machinery of autophagy (‘autophagy proteins‘) that are thought to orchestrate the response to infection. It is thought that this process helps to balance the detrimental effects on the body while fighting infection and in autoimmune diseases.
Auger’s work explores the artistic practice through a process of invention and engineering. The choreography of the machine parts removes the artist’s hands, allowing the predictable and sometimes unpredictable nature of the machine to become the object of art. The resulting images produced by the machine further eliminate the artist’s touch and shift emphasis toward the act of creating. 11
image courtesy of Drs. Adolfo Alfonso & Suzanne Jackowski In the normal course of events most of our cells must divide to continue to support our ever changing biological needs. To accomplish this the cells grow and accumulate nutrients to give them the energy to duplicate their DNA and divide. DNA becomes condensed, as seen here in blue, and is then pulled apart and separated into the two daughter cells by the mitotic spindle fibers (green). Cell-division is a vital process by which our hair, skin, blood cells, and some internal organs renew themselves. Control over the cell division process is sometimes lost and cells begin to divide irrepressibly , this is the basis of all cancer. “Pantothenate Kinase Protein is most known for regulating aspects of cellular metabolism, that is how cells make energy to sustain themselves and function. Drs Alfonso and Jackowski have found a new function for this protein. “When cells undergo mitosis, the protein Pantothenate Kinase Protein (red) is localized within the mitotic spindle apparatus (green). This suggests a new potential role for the protein during the process of cell division. We believe that the location of Pantothenate Kinase protein may be important for neuronal survival, as mutations in this protein results in Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration.� -Dr Adolfo Alfonso
Candace Canerdy (born in Memphis, TN in 1985) is a contemporary artist who lives and works in Memphis. She is a sculpture student at the University of Memphis, and will graduate this May with her BFA. Canerdy uses a detail-oriented process with natural and synthetic materials to create sculptures and site-specific installations, and she is also an avid oil painter. Upon graduation, she will pursue graduate school and residency opportunities. 12
image courtesy of the St Jude Electron Microscopy, Dr. Mondira Kundu and Dr. Jennifer Martinez In normal cells, the ability for a cell to kill itself is an essential function, as the capacity to do so protects cells from becoming cancerous as one of the hallmarks of cancer is uncontrolled cell growth. In cancer cells, the natural ability of the cell to prevent this uncontrolled cell growth through a programmed cell death, called apoptosis is disturbed. Apoptosis in the cell is directed by cell signaling pathways in the cytosol and mitochondria. However there are a number of ways a cell may die, including autophagocytosis, which literally means the ability of the cell to eat itself. This image demonstrates this process of autophagocytosis. It is hoped that by understanding the mechanisms of this type of cell death, it can be used to develop a therapeutic intervention in cancer that activates this death pathway when apoptosis is deterred.
For many, it can be hard to find something in life to be passionate about. For some it is traveling, children, the work they do, or their art. Hearing how passionate research scientists are in their specific fields to find a cure for the different forms of cancer has been an inspiration. To share artwork next to cancer cells seems so frivolous, yet ironically, similar. They both are creations that require passion. There are so many layers that unfold, that can cover a detail that requires close attention in order to truly see what is right in front of your eye. For me, my gift and passion is in creating. 13
image courtesy of Dr. Liqin Zhu Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in this country. Adult stem cells represent a promising therapeutic tool in the treatment of many cancers including prostate cancer. They have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into many different mature cell types including prostate cells, and the hope is that through this therapeutic treatment, cancerous cells can be replaced with healthy cells of the same origin. This image illustrates one of the toughest challenges to using adult stem cells, namely locating them. Identification of most adult tissue stem cells has been proven challenging due to their inert status under normal condition. In this image, the blue staining of cell nuclei outlines the normal folding on the prostate epithelium. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) was genetically introduced into the animal to label potential prostate stem cells. One of the mature cell types in the prostate is stained by a red fluorescent dye. The co-localization of green and red fluorescence proves these stem cells can differentiate. -Dr. Liqin Zhu
I have always been a fan of the subtle over the monumental. Perhaps this is because subtleties are often overlooked and when you find them, you feel like you’re in on some kind of inside joke or secret. The challenge that I seek through my work is persuading the viewer to look a little closer and examine not only the piece itself, but the way the piece effects their intellect. My most recent work explores the beauty found in simple geometric form. My process involves applying new identities to old materials, such as scrap or reclaimed wood, by lacquering them with bright color and arranging them in aesthetically pleasing formations. My goal is to create sculpture that echoes minimalist work of artists such as Donald Judd and Frank Stella, but weave in my own southern voice. 14
image courtesy of Dr. David Solecki The centrosome is an organelle that regulates cell division and serves as the main microtubule organizing center (microtubules serve as structural components within cells). When the cell is preparing to divide it has 2 centrosomes that migrate to opposite ends of the cell. In cell division the membrane around the nucleus breaks down allowing the centrosome microtubules to interact with the chromosomes forming the mitotic spindle. These structural components help to separate the chromosomes. Centrosomes are thought to ensure the accuracy and precision of cell division thereby preserving the genetic integrity of the daughter cells.
I have always believed that science and art are opposite disciplines seeking to expose many of the same truths. In college, I was given the opportunity to play with an electron microscope at Georgia Tech and from these images created a series of drawings. This experience motivated me to pursue my first creative job out of college in the exhibits department of a science museum. Currently, my work explores the natural vs. the machined or artificial. In the piece I made for the upcoming “Art of Science� show, I focused on illustrating the germinal zone in the brain and the movement of the cells from this place to their final destination. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to learn more about the experiments Dr. David Solecki is conducting at St. Jude , his pursuit to control the way cells migrate during the development of the cerebellum. I have enjoyed this collaboration and found working to express his complicated research a welcomed challenge.
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image courtesy of Thomas (Trey) Oguin, M.S. & Dr. Paul Thomas “To better dissect the mechanisms behind an influenza infection and the body’s response to the virus, I have designed a novel technique for infecting human lung cells and using fluorescent light to detect the results. This new type of experiment is powerful in two ways: first, using this technique, emerging influenza viruses can be rapidly screened to determine if their relative virulence; second, the immune response to influenza can be examined so that new drugs can be developed to help our cells better combat an infection. To conduct the experiment, human lung cells are grown on a microscope slide. The cells are then infected with a known number of influenza viruses; the infection takes place on a very tiny section of the slide, and the virus replicates outwards. At pre-determined times, the infection is stopped, and antibodies that carry a fluorescent tag are used to detect the virus and certain antiviral proteins using a microscope. Software is then used to quantify how many cells are infected, how far the virus is able to spread, and how intense the immune response is. Hopefully, using this technique, scientists will be able to learn more about the nature of influenza and our body’s reaction to it.” -Trey Oguin
As an abstract painter, I observe the world around me and break down what I see into the most basic elements of visual experience. Unfortunately, my eyes can only see only so much of the natural world. From the smallest cellular images to the Hubble Telescope shots of the vastness of deep space, scientists pull back the curtain to this magical yet invisible world around us. When looking at this imagery, I appropriate exactly the same elements I would if I were looking at beautiful architecture: line, shape, color, form and texture. Beauty is beauty. Both art and science give us a narrative to our existence. It’s ironic that in this age of specialization the connection between these two disciplines has been severed, especially considering there are many parallels in why we do what we do. In the laboratory, as in the studio, artists and scientists spend hours upon hours alone, asking questions, testing and retesting and searching for answers. Curiosity, persistence, repetitiveness and allowing for accidents and missteps, are similar means to different ends. 16
image courtesy of Dr. Darcy Miller Most patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have weakened immune systems. St. Jude’s goal is developing effective ways of preventing serious infections among children whose immune systems are weakened by cancer chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections that healthy immune systems usually conquer. They are more susceptible to common infections of childhood and often their symptoms are worse. Hemagglutinin is made of 3 identical subunits bound together to form the functional protein molecule, this is called 3-fold symmetry. Each of the subunits are colored from beginning to end in hues of blue to red to highlight the identical aspects of the trimer. Hemagglutinin protein is the key ingredient in the flu vaccine. When we are vaccinated, we create proteins called antibodies, they stick to this protein on the outside of the virus and stop it from successfully infecting us. Hemagglutinin is important to the virus because it attaches to human lung cells (receptor-binding) allowing the virus to adhere to the cells. Hemagglutinin then causes fusion of the virus and lung cell membranes that allows the virus genome to be ejected inside the lung cells. The hemagglutinin protein shown here is from a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza commonly referred to as the bird flu. -Dr. Darcy Miller
My work begins when I discover an intriguing ready-made object. I evaluate the complexity and compatibility of forged metal objects and combine them with organic forms to create a biomechanical narrative. I am fascinated with the mechanical aspect of life. In my work I express the relationship of soul and machine working as one. My work emerges from metal and imagination ignited through science and technology to generate a surreal biomechanical specimen. 17
image courtesy of Dr. Christine Oshansky-Weilnau This image shows the nucleoprotein of the influenza virus within a lung epithelial cell from a human donor. Lung epithelial cells allow for gas exchange in the lung and move particulate out of the lung with cilia (in green). The nucleoprotein is a structural protein within the influenza virion that functions to protect the viral RNA. Once inside the cell, the nucleoprotein (in purple), along with the viral RNA, can enter the nucleus (in blue) of the cell to begin its replication cycle. Following replication, newly made influenza viruses bud from the surface of the cell and spread to nearby cells, or to other people as they cough and sneeze.
Scientist’s Statement: “Research, particularly scientific research, is a unique field, in which every day can bring something new and exciting. Each discovery, no matter how small, can contribute to saving the lives of humans and animals, and I became a scientist for this very reason. Our work in viral immunology undoubtedly contributes to medical fields as diverse as asthma, cancer, the common cold (which includes myriad respiratory viruses!), and diagnostics.” -Dr. Christine Oshansky-Weilnau
I have always sought to express the push/pull between structure and chaos in nature, and this is a great example. In this work, I would hope to understand the images environment better, with the help of the researchers. I have not worked in the past so directly to include science or scientific imagery in my work; however, I find the idea of this collaboration intriguing and would work to convey the beauty that I find in sciences structured chaos. I hope to know more at the end of the collaboration [and expand] the influence that I might have on the dialogue. 18
this image courtesy of Drs. Kip Guy & Armand Guiguemde The image is showing human red blood cells (colored in red). In the center, one red blood cell is invaded by many little infectious organisms (colored in green). These little green parasites will ultimately reproduce in the cell until they cause it to burst open. When the red blood cells break the symptoms of malaria occur. Malaria is a world wide health problem, especially impacting children. This disease kills a child in the world every 30 seconds. At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we discovered new chemicals that we believe will eventually help in treating infected children. -Dr. Wendyam ‘Armand’ Guiguemde Malaria is a particularly difficult pathogen in that the pathogen responsible for it has a complex lifecycle in both the human and the mosquito (the insect that harbors it). Thus effective vaccine development has been difficult. The disease burden is further complicated by the fact that the parasite has quickly developed resistance to many of the anti-malarial drugs developed. The lab of Dr. Guy has taken a novel high throughput approach to screen hundreds of thousands of chemicals for potential action against the parasites, specifically targeting the deadliest strain that has unfortunately developed drug resistance. Drs. Guiguemde and Guy identified 172 potential drugs and validated 4 of them. This effort was laudable and provided the scientific community with a large number of chemical agents to develop into antimalarial drugs.
As I work primarily in glass I art of science discovered that glass lends itself well to the representation of cellular structures. My concept in these projects was to give an artistic manifestation to the valuable research and anti-cancer drug therapies being developed at St. Jude. In the past I have worked in the style of images on glass slides as viewed through a microscope. I like to approach the visual aspect of them as a sort of reliquary. 19
image courtesy of the St Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr Laura Janke Biological tissue samples such as the one shown here, have little inherent contrast using light microscopy. To solve this problem in visualization, staining is employed to give both contrast to the tissue, as well as to highlight a particular feature, or histology that is of interest to the scientist. This process is broadly called histochemistry, as different stains or dies are commonly used to identify histopathology in the tissue sample. In cancers, this histopathology is often seen as irregularities in a cells normal structure, or by the identification of different histological markers indicative of cancer such as duplication of genetic material in the nucleus of cells. Common stains include H&E staining (Hematoxylin and Eosin). Hematoxylin, is a dye that stains nuclei blue due to an affinity to nucleic acids in the cell nucleus; eosin, stains the cytoplasm of a cell pink.
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image courtesy of the St Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center and Dr. Josh Parsons “Bacterial infections are responsible for millions of deaths a year worldwide. Many bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics traditionally used to treat infections. This has intensified the search for new antibiotics targeting different pathways inside the bacteria. Some of the most promising antibiotics in development are optimized to target the machinery of specific bacteria in contrast to the broadspectrum antibiotics used previously. Not only does this strategy result in significantly more effective drugs but minimizes the damage to non-pathogenic bacteria inside the human body.” –Dr Josh Parsons
Mary Long-Postal was born in Ohio and has lived in Tennessee since the mid-1990s. Following studies in graphic design and painting, she began working in encaustic in 2001. “I grew up near Canton, where there is a crazy-quilt patchwork of rural farms and factories. It’s a juxtaposition of abandoned industrial grayness against expanses of happy saturated colors that inspires my work to this day,” she says. 21
photo: Andrew Breig
image courtesy of the St Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Raquel Collins The Human Genome Project gave scientists a plethora of information about the DNA sequence of the human genome. While researchers have identified a large number of novel genes, the challenge is organizing and cataloging this information into a usable form. DNA microarray technology allows researchers to read and catalog the entire genome for a single patient. A microarray is a glass side with an orderly arrangement of up to 2 million very small dots of short DNA sequences (“probes”) attached to the slide. We can take a patient’s sample add it to the slide and if the patient’s DNA is active it will bind the DNA probes on the slide thereby emitting fluorescent light. This light is detected by a computer producing unique gene expression signatures that can be compared to a healthy individual’s samples. This allows researchers to identify genes that are present in the patient’s disease. Microarrays have allowed researchers to identify many genes involved in disease, particularly cancer, and we can use that information to diagnose a patient, determine the cancer subtype, and even predict if a patient is at risk for relapse. There are several benefits to microarray technology: the ability to survey a large number of genes in a single experiment, the speed with which a patient’s sample can be tested, and the relatively low cost to analyze the patient’s entire genome. In the end, this means a cheaper, faster, and more comprehensive diagnosis for the patient. -Dr. Racquel Collins-Underwood
A grid is inhabited by 7 unique finite state machines. These machines perform a set of operations on the grid. Every tick of the grid, the finite state machines will read into memory the current state of the grid at the (x, y) coordinate they are positioned They then increment, by one, the state of the grid at that (x, y) coordinate. The grid has three possible states, if it is incremented higher than 2, the grid state will wrap back around to zero. The finite state machine then uses that stored state value to reference a look-up table of colors, and then uses that color to change the current color of the grid at their coordinate. Finally, the finite state machine references a look-up table of which direction to turn next (ex. 0 = left, 1 = right, 2 = left, etc.). They turn direction and move forward one space. Emergent behavior evolves when two finite state machines inhabit the same (x, y) coordinate when the grid is ticked. If this happens the two finite state machines will perform a partial swap or crossover mutation of their colors and instructions. It is a computational model of a Complex System that arises from predictably behaving agents in a finite environment. 22
image courtesy of the St Jude Electron Microscopy and Dr. Sharon Frase The picture is of mouse parainfluenza virus 1 (also known as Sendai virus) purified from chicken egg allantoic fluid. The eggs were inoculated with virus and 72 hours later the allantoic fluid, rich in virus, was collected. The virus was then purified from this fluid . The pure virus sample was then subjected to electron microscopy. Electron microscopy uses a particle beam of electrons to light the sample thereby producing a magnified image. This technique allows the researcher to resolve structures that are much smaller than what can be seen with traditional microscopy. This is due to the fact that electrons have wavelengths that are 100,000 times shorter than visible light wavelengths in traditional microscopy. This means the magnification can be 10,000,000 time with electron microscopy while normal microscopy magnification is around 2000 times. This technology allows the resolution of this tiny virus particle, which is many times smaller than a cell. The image presented here is actually of a virus particle that was lysed during the preparation. Amazingly, this high resolution image also allows you to visualize the viral RNA which appears as the small strings of circles seen spilling out of the virus. -Dr. Sharon Frase
A fascination with natural history and science drives my work. In an attempt to pin down information long enough to digest it, I collect data and work out ideas in multiple files, notebooks and sketchbooks. I use my subjective filter to process raw data, but am more interested in diagramming a mental space than absolute technical accuracy. The absurd (marshmallow Peeps) is juxtaposed with the arcane (robots learn how to lie.) Hard graphite edges exist alongside watery passages. The diptych “Absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence.� continues in a similar vein: pieces seek to negotiate the difference between science and feeling. 23
image courtesy of the St Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr. Cliff Guy Cells are coated in proteins, some of these proteins hold protein debris (“antigens”), generated within the cell, out for immune cells to find. If a cell displays protein debris from an infectious pathogen to immune cells. The immune cells respond to this cue and activate the immune system to clear the infection. Likewise, when cells transform into cancer they display unique proteins on their surface and present cancerous protein debris (“tumor antigens”) which can also be shed into the bloodstream. Similar to mounting an immune response to an invading pathogen, immune cells are activated to remove the cancer. These immune cell defenders include: B cells, cytotoxic T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. It is thought that these patrolling immune cells maintain a continuous body wide surveillance looking for cancer cells and when encountering malignant transformed cells they eliminate them. Thus tumor development is in part due to a breakdown in the immune surveillance or an overwhelming of the system.
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image courtesy of Dr. Jill Lahti This is a movie of a HeLa cells undergoing cell division, they were derived from an ovarian cancer patient’s tumor *. These cells grow using just a solution of sugar water, amino acids, vitamins and a little bit of calf serum. The cells have an added gene encoding a protein that binds DNA (histone H2B) fused to a protein that produces a green fluorescent light . This green fusion protein binds to all of the DNA in the cells. The only color we actually see in the microscope by eye is the green. The movie and the attached picture has been pseudocolored to reflect the variation in the brightness of the green during cell division. The different colors represent the amount of this green-DNA binding protein – Blue is a low amount and red is a high amount. In a cell that is not dividing the DNA is spread throughout the nucleus as indicated by the blue/ green circles with a few areas containing more DNA which are the red dots. Just before a cell undergoes division the DNA condenses several thousand fold so that individual chromosomes are now visible by microscopy causing the bright green going to red depending on how compact the DNA is. The chromosomes are the squiggly things that are green and then red in some of the frames. Each chromosome has two pieces of DNA that are separated during division and pulled apart so that each of the new cells gets one of the two pieces. After cell division the chromosome unwind in the two new cells and the DNA turns back to the blue/green color. The attached picture is the color scale. For our studies we add or subtract other proteins from these cell and then make similar movies. These new movies are compared to the one that you are using to see if there are any obvious difference in cells that have more or less of the protein we are interested in. The making of this cell line was the subject the book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack”
The image that I have created is a response to the visual information and my discussions with Dr. Lahti. I am not attempting to illustrate HeLa cells, but to give an impression or sense of them. When cells divide, the chromosomes condense many thousands of times, divide and almost seem to explode into two cells. Each of the three cell forms are drawn in some state of cell division, the central form with the large line through it is in the most advanced state of division. The background forms were an attempt to represent the immortal, constantly dividing nature of HeLa. As I learned from Dr. Lahit, the cells have a tendency to clump together so this unintentionally worked out quite well. The brightly colored cores of these forms are meant to signify the positive or beneficial aspects of the cells. The color areas are created from scanned and photographed botanicals, flower petals, and butterfly wings. The image is assembled digitally and printed on an archival inkjet printer.
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Scientist statement: “I’ve always appreciated biology because it is the study of life- something we are all here for. Most of all, I enjoy combining my love of science with the goals here at St. Jude. After participating throughout college with a philanthropy devoted to helping childhood disease, I realized that I wanted to connect this outstanding mission with my passion for biology. Currently, my lab’s research focuses on how we can increase drug penetration through the blood-brain barrier. Understanding the blood-brain barrier will help us create treatments for many pediatric brain cancers seen here at the hospital and even later-life diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Knowing we have the potential to combine basic science and philanthropy is a truly rewarding experience. courtesy of Dr. Michael Taylor & Miss Robyn Umans Our research is focused on how physical and chemical barriers are formed between the brain and bloodstream. The aptly named bloodbrain barrier provides the microenvironment for the brain to function properly, while preventing potentially harmful substances from entering the brain. Unfortunately, these protective properties also prohibit the free exchange of chemotherapeutic agents often making it difficult to treat brain tumors and other diseases of the central nervous system. Using zebrafish as a model organism, we are devising new ways to overcome this problem. These transgenic fish provide a useful tool for examining how the blood-brain barrier functions and develops, and will provide novel insights into how to effectively deliver drugs into the brain.” -Dr Taylor
The content of Alexander Paulus’s work includes evolution of the human body, biblical destruction stories, the human ability to be self-sufficient, redneck inventions, and redeveloping useless products. These topics may seem to have no correlation, but they all stem from his interest in questioning the “source”. By which he means the origin of all things. The minimal use of color, line, and shape represents the basic principles of learning. In order to understand the concept, it seems appropriate to provide the viewer with the least amount of information needed. Paulus’s work has been exhibited in St. Louis, Nashville, and Memphis. He currently teaches art courses at the Memphis College of Art and Southwest Tennessee Community College. Outside of his art making, Paulus has begun performing music as a one-man-band under the stage name Paulus Bunion. And he is good.
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image courtesy of the St Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center & Dr Deanna Langfitt In histochemistry, the aim of tissue processing is to remove water from tissues and replace it with a medium that solidifies to allow thin sections to be cut. Biological tissue must be supported in a hard matrix to allow sufficiently thin sections to be cut, typically 5 μm (micrometres; 1000 micrometres = 1 mm) thick for light microscopy. For light microscopy, paraffin wax is most frequently used. Since it is immiscible with water, the main constituent of biological tissue, water must first be removed in the process of dehydration. Samples are transferred through baths of progressively more concentrated ethanol to remove the water. This is followed by a hydrophobic clearing agent (to remove the alcohol), and finally a molten paraffin wax. For light microscopy, a steel knife mounted in a microtome is used to cut 10-micrometer thick tissue sections which are mounted on a glass microscope slide. Then the mounted sections are treated with the appropriate biological stain.
Eszter Augustine-Sziksz is a European printmaker, and has traveled and lived in several countries from Asia to Europe. Eszter’s work blends papermaking, installation and video elements. She is an active artist shown at the regional and international level from Tokyo to Budapest. After earning a BA from Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Eszter made her way to Memphis College of Art where she recently completed an MFA degree in printmaking.
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image courtesy of the St Jude Biomolecular Imaging Center and Dr. Brandon Cox
The moment I saw the mouse cochlea, I knew it was the match for me. My work applies fiber techniques to copper wire. Doing so captures intricacy of pattern, but also transparency. These qualities drew me to choose this particular photograph. The sturdiness of the wire made possible a free standing sculpture. The work is constructed of several loom knitted pieces. Finished with glass beads. 28
The ear drum separates the outer ear and the middle ear, which is normally filled with air followed by the inner ear or cochlea. Three tiny bones inside the middle ear connect to form a chain, the last one is connected to a tiny membrane (the oval window) at the beginning of the inner ear. When sound hits the ear drum, the tiny bones are set in motion, and the last one pushes on the oval window, activating the cochlea. Inside the cochlea there are thousands of tiny nerve endings (“hair cells�) that are surrounded by fluid. The hair cells change the sound waves into electrical impulses that travel along the auditory (hearing) nerve to the brain. The brain processes these impulses and changes the sounds into something meaningful to you. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when something damages the inner ear, the auditory (hearing) nerve, or the parts of the brain that process sound. Sensorineural hearing loss can have many different causes, the most common causes for children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are from cancer treatments such as: Chemotherapy causes damage to the hair cells in the cochlea when the drug is absorbed into the fluid that surrounds them and damages them; Radiation can damage the hair cells, like chemotherapy, or damage the area of the brain that changes sound into meaning or the nerves that transmit electronic signals; Surgery or tumors can physically damage the areas of the brain that process sound.
Jonathan Auger Brenda Colburn 12X12 Sq. Sm. 12X12 Sq. Med. 12X12 Sq. Lg. Large Series Holly Cole Melissa Dunn Adam Geary Elisha Gold Ashley Leem Mary Long-Postal 2 Squares 4 Plexiglass 2 Paper Light Box Bill McKessy & William van Justice Sunny Montgomery Howard Paine Alex Paulus Eszther Sziksz Prints Installation
$8000.00 $350.00 $450.00 $550.00 $3600.00 for 3/$1250.00ea $1500.00 $1800.00 $700.00 $2400.00 $6500.00 $75.00 $150.00 $300.00ea $450.00 $3000.00 $1500.00 $900.00 $800.00 $400.00 $650.00
To purchase work from the Art of Science exhibiton, get in touch with us at artofsciencememphis@gmail.com to request artist contact information. 29
Friday, June 24th 2011 at Marshall Arts Gallery, 639 Marshall Street
all photos copyright St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 2011 unless otherwise stated
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AOS scientist Dr. Racquel Collins-Underwood with Bill McKessy & William van Jusice’s Lab of Tomorrow
AOS scientist Dr. Michael Taylor with Alex Paulus’s painting
Local musician Michelle Bush
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AOS scientist Dr. Michael Taylor with Alex Paulus’s painting
AOS artists Bill McKessy & William van Justice
photo: Andrew Breig
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AOS organizers Matt Garcia & Travis Hass
AOS scientist Dr. David Soleki with Gadsby Creson’s piece Bill McKessy & William van Justice’s Lab of Tomorrow photo: Andrew Breig
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Taylor Martin is from Little Rock, AR originally, but moved to Memphis to pursue a BFA in Photography from Memphis College of Art. He currently works at the Art Museum of the University of Memphis as a Museum Media Specialist. He is a founding member of Rozelle Artists Guild and The Art of Science is his curatorial debut.
Shea Colburn has a BFA in Drawing from Memphis College of Art. Co-founder of Rozelle Artists Guild and a native Texan, he currently works as the Display Artist at Urban Outfitters, and works as an independent contractor as a set dresser, designer, & builder on film and commercial shoots.
Lauren Rae Holtermann is a recent graduate from Memphis College of Art with a BFA in Illustration, and is currently working as a designer at Combustion Advertising & Design, a small local agency. She has been organizing events with Rozelle Artists Guild since co-founding the collective in 2007. She also works with Indie Memphis Film Festival and recently completed her first graphic novella .
Dr. Heather Smallwood received her M.S. in Biology and Ph. D. in Biochemistry while working at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington State and her undergraduate B.A. in microbiology from the University of Kansas where she grew up. She came to Memphis as a post-doctoral fellow at St. Jude in the laboratory of Paul Thomas & Peter Doherty. She opened and ran a non-profit relief store for artist and folk craft makers in college and has continued to support arts, music and independent film in the Memphis area. Dr. Matthew Garcia received his Ph.D. in Anatomy & Neurobiology from the University Of Kentucky in 2007, and has been a research scientist at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital since then. He is an advocate of the idea that scientists should work to bridge the gap between science and the community it serves by creating a dialogue between the two.
Travis Hass is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s in Journalism at the University of Memphis with a focus in Public Relations. In recent years, he has organized musical acts and aided in PR for Rozelle Artists Guild. He is currently the frontman for the local Memphis band, Youniverse.
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