Images of Common Illnesses: Hayfever, Flu, Viruses, Have Been Captured Under The Microscope

By Mark McConville

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A SERIES of striking microscopic pictures has revealed the colourful patterns that make up the everyday illnesses the public is often struck down by.

The incredible images show Aussie flu infection which looks like purple silly string, human cells infected with influenza B virus which looks like tiny seeds attaching themselves to a sponge and H1N1 flu strain infecting human cells.

Other colourful snaps show the yellow and red capsules of the bird flu virus attacking human cells, seeds causing hayfever and the string-like threads of the H1N1 flu strain.

The coloured scanning electron micrographs (SEM) were taken by Steve Gschmeissner who is one of the leading scanning electron microscopists in the world today.

“For many years I have been waiting to share my wonderment at the microscopic world that exists around us and even in us,” he said.

“For anyone involved in microscopy the SEM is the ultimate boy’s toy. Costing between £100,000 and £500,000 there are only a handful of people around the world who have access to this for fun. To be able to use this equipment is a dream come true.

“The SEM picks up basically where the normal light microscope finishes. And it takes it so much further by magnifying the specimen up to a million times.

“Also different to a regular microscope is the fact the SEM builds a 3D image using electrons giving you a unique view.”