ICB CDT Student Shortlisted for FoNS Research Image Competition

Lipid assemblies resemble microscopic moons by Aileen Cooney, Department of Chemistry

ICB CDT student Aileen Cooney's image "Lipid assemblies resemble microscopic moons" shortlilsted for the 2025 FoNS Research Image Competition.

The ICB CDT extends its huge congratulations to Leverhulme Doctoral Scholar and ICB CDT student Aileen Cooney for her image "Lipid assemblies resemble microscopic moons", which was shortlilsted for the 2025 FoNS Research Image Competition.

Aileen's image was showcased alongside 15 other images for the Faculty of Natural Sciences Research Image Competition and displayed at the College Main Entrance (Exhibition Road) on Wednesday 2 April. 

Lipid assemblies resemble microscopic moons
Aileen Cooney, Department of Chemistry

"Here is a collection of cell-sized microbots that contain a fluorescent probe inserted in their membranes. We call these microbots "synthetic cells" as they are made of lipid (oil) molecules assembled into a membrane, similar to a biological cell. Depending on the type and shape of the lipids, the synthetic cells show a variety of membrane patterns, resembling different phases of the moon. The fluorescent lipid (green colour) acts as an indicator of how well-mixed the membrane is, with some membranes being fully mixed and others separated into two or more regions. This is useful for engineering different functions at specific locations across the membrane."

A slideshow of the winning and all shortlisted images can be vierwed here.

Alternatively, you can view each of the shortlisted images and their associated captions in this PDF: FoNS Research Image Competition 2025.

Congratulations Aileen!