SCIENCE MEETS ART:Art addressing stigma in illness

UKUKHAWULELANA BOBUNZULULWAZI NOBUGCISA:

ifuthe lobugcisa kwiingxoxo ezijongene nokubekwa kwebala kwizifo

This transdisciplinary project between the departments of Visual Arts and Physiological Sciences, artists and community

members aims to use art as a way to address stigmatisation regarding mental illness and neurodegeneration-related illnesses.

Lomsebenzi oquka amacandelo aliqela, odibanise isebe lobuGcisa kunye nesebe lobuNzululwazi bomzimba, abakhi bobugcisa noluntu jikelele, ujongene nokusetyenziswa

bobugcisa njengendlela yokujongana nokubekwa kwebala kwimeko zokugula ngengqondo kunye nezifo ezinxulumene nobutathaka bemithambo-luvo.

Images of cell structures, fluorescence images, artworks and crafts are on

display at Rupert Museum, Stellenbosch, 31 October 2020 - February 2021.

Imifanekiso yezakhiwo zeseli, imifanekiso yemibala eqaqambileyo,

imisebenzi yobugcisa kunye nemisebenzi yezandla iboniswa eRupert Museum,

eStellenbosch, ngenyanga yeDwarha kunyaka ka2020 – ukuyokutsho kwinyanga

yoMdumba kunyaka ka2021.

Participating artists Abadali bobugcisa

Gerald Choga Portia Mphangwa Nomsa Mukwira

Zacharia MukwiraSimon ShumiZingisa Vula

The Physiological Sciences postgraduate students identified a need in

society to help communities to better understand mental illness and

neurodegeneration. Often, the scientific nomenclature for these

diseases does not exist in African languages, or their African names

are unknown, making communication a particular challenge.

Abafundi bezobugcisa lomzimba bafumanisa isidingo sokunceda uluntu

ekukwandiseni ulwazi ngezigulo ezithabatha ingqondo nezo

zobuthathaka bemithambo-luvo. Ikakhulu, lamagama asetyenzisiwayo

ziingcali zobugcisa awaye afumaneke kwiilwimi zesiNtu, okanye

kuyenzeka ukuba lamagama angaziwa luluntu, into eye idale

ubunzima ebunxibelelwaneni.

Major issues regarding stigma also exist. This project presents a unique

opportunity to harness science micrographs in cross-talk, thereby enhancing science by

communicating in a unique and powerful manner.

Visual art is used as a medium to address these issues.

Kodwa kusekhona umba malunga nokubekwa kwebala. Lomsebenzi usiphathela ithuba

lokusebenzisa imifanekiso yeziphumo zezobunzululwazi ukwenzela ulwandiso

lonxibelelwano ngendlela eyomeleleyo ne khethekileyo.

Apha, ubugcisa busetyenziswa njengesixhobo sokuxoxa le micimbi.

Newly created and existing artworks are used in collaboration with the cell structures that explain illnesses to community members.

Community members can associate with the use of visual and decorative

arts, as an entry point, to address symptoms of, for instance, mental illness,

depression and forgetfulness.

Imisebenzi yobugcisa eyenziwe kutsha ne ibikade ikho isetyenziswa kunye nemifanekiso yeeseli ezicacisa izigulo kuluntu lwasekuhlaleni.

Amalungu oluntu bazokuba nako ukusebenzisa imisebenzi yemizobo

nemihombiso, okukomngeni kwiingxoxo zee-mpawu zezigulo zengqondo,

nenkxwaleko yokudakumba nokulibala.

Cell image: Super-resolved microtubule strands(red) and actin

fibres(cyan), involved in the intracellular transport process and cell skeleton.

Umfanekiso weseli: Umbono obalaseliswe kakhulu wamasebe (bomvu)

ne micu (luhlaza) yamathambo eeseli

Artwork: Circular object by Portia Mphangwa,

from recycled material.

Umsebenzi wobugcisa: iSakhiwo

esingqukuva esenziwe nguPortia Mphangwa,

awenza ngempahla ezivuselelweyo.

This is a collaborative learning process for internal and external stakeholders,

whereby students start to understand the needs of the community, with regard to

stigmatisation of the indicated illnesses, and can communicate their own scientific

research to communities in an accessible and understandable manner.

Le yinkqubo yokufundisa ngentsebenziswano yabathathi-nxaxheba bangaphakathi nabangaphandle,

apho abafundi baqala khona ukuqondisisa iimfuno zoluntu

ngokubhekiselene nokubekwa kwe bala kwezi zigulo zichaziweyo, apho khona

banokunxibelelana ngolwabo uphando lobunzululwazi kwimimandla jikelele ngendlela

efikelekayo kwaye evakalayo.

Molecular imaging techniques are a major tool in the biomedical research field, and are strongly

utilised by the collaborator, providing colourful images of internal biological processes to make visible

what cannot be seen. Here this is used to make visible whether the cell responds to

treatment. Art is becoming a unique medium to enrich communication, improve societal

well-being and create development opportunities.

Ubuchule bokuthabatha imifanekiso-ngqondweni yamasuntswana sisixhobo esiphambili kwicandelo

lophando lwempilo, kwaye busetyenziswa kakhulu ngamaqabane ethu, besiphathela imifanekiso emibala

ngemibala ekusiboniseni iinqubo zempilo nasekuvezeni konke oku kungabonakaliyo ngeliso lenyama.

Apha busetyenziselwa ukuveza indlela iseli enokwamkela ngayo ichiza lonyango. Ubugcisa buye

bugqama ngokwe sixhobo esikhethekileyo sokutyebisa unxibelelwano, nokuphucula

intlalontle yoluntu kunye nokudala amathuba ophuhliso.

This project aligns with three Stellenbosch University (SU) themes and Social Impact

Strategic Plan strategies: a) Education for all, b) Social justice/Reducing inequalities and

c) Good health and well-being. This project will have an impact by enhancing health in

communities through improving communication by using indigenous arts. The project will make

the latest research on neurodegenerative disease (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and mental illness

(such as depression) available to health educators and community members.

Lo msebenzi uhambelana nemixholo emithathu yeYunivesithi yaseStellenbosch (SU) kunye nezicwangciso-qhinga zeNtlalontle: a) Imfundo kubantu bonke, b) Ubulungisa kwezentlalo /

Ukunciphisa ukungalingani kunye c) Impilo entle nokuba sempilweni. Lo msebenzi ujongene

nokuba nefuthe lokwandisa impilo kuluntu ngokuphucula unxibelelwano,

ngokusebenziswa bobugcisa bemveli. Lo msebenzi uza ngenjongo yokusondeza uphando olutsha kubafundisi-ntsapho namalungu oluntu, ngezifo zobuthathaka bemithambo-luvo

(nje ngesifo sika-Alzheimer) kunye nokugula ngengqondo (njengokudakumba).

Cell image: Brain cancer (glioma) cell filled with damaged lysosomes (orange

puncta) and nuclear DNA (blue)

Umfanekiso weseli: iSeli yomhlaza wengqondo (iGlioma) igcwele zii

layisozom (iizingxobo eziqokelela inkunkuma ngaphakathi eselini)

(orenji) nombandela wemfuzo weseli (luhlaza lwezulu)

Artwork: Short button necklace by

Portia Mphangwa

Umsebenzi wobugcisa: Intsimbi

yentamo eyenziwe ngamaqhosha,

ngu Portia Mphangwa

Information generated at SU will therefore be shared with people outside the

University to enable education for the broader society. Certain communities were excluded in the past which still has an impact today. This project would address the

inequalities of communities regarding illnesses and diseases, to allow progress towards a more equal society. Key areas of particular interest, such as mental illness, post-partum depression,

adolescent depression and major depression as well as hypertension, cancer and diabetes, have been communicated by a collaborating health educator.

Iziphumo zaseSU kuzakukwabelwana ngazo nabantu ba ngaphadle kwe Yunivesiti

ukukwenzela ukufundiswa loluntu ngokubanzi. Ucalucalulo lwakudala lusenefuthe kwanamhlanje. Lo msebenzi unokujongana nokungalingani koluntu malunga nezifo nezigulo, ukuvumela inkqubela phambili nentlalo yoluntu olulingeneyo. Imixholo yeengqalelo eziquka

ukugula ngengqondo, ukudakumba emva kokubeleka, udandatheko kulutsha olufikisayo, udandatheko olunzulu, uxinzelelo lwegazi, umhlaza, nesifo seswekile,

sezazisiwe zaxoxwa ngumfundisi wezempilo.

The artists themselves indicated particular concern

about and interest in diseases such as Alzheimers and dementia,

meningitis and adolescent depression.

Amagcisa nawo, abonakalise inkxalabo nomdla malunga nezifo ezithile,

kuquka isifo sika-Alzheimer, ukuphazamiseka kwengqondo,

isifo sokudumba kwenwebu yobuchopho no dandatheko

kulutsha olufikisayo.

Cell image: Neuronal sphere model allowing the study of brain cancer, here with a focus on overcoming resistance to chemotherapy. Many cells form this dense spheroid tissue,

showing nuclear DNA (blue) and the cytoskeleton (red).

Umfanekiso weseli: Isakhiwo sesazinge seeseli esenzelwe ukufundwa novavanyo lomhlaza wengqondo, esi

sona senzelwe uphando loxhathiso lomzimba kunyango lomhlaza (ichemotherapy). Ziiseli eziliqela eziyeziqukane

ekubumbeni esisazinge, apha zihlaluhlalula imfuzo (luhlaza lwezulu) ne micu yamathambo eseli (bomvu)

Artworks: Metal spiders by Gerald Choga

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: iiZigcawu

zokuhombisa ezakhiwe ngeentsimbi,

zenziwe nguGerald Choga

Cell images: Top left: This is a sick neuronal cell, as in Alzheimer’s disease. The white round structures are vacuoles, which are not degraded. Normally, the cell should not have them, or at least not so many. This means the cell will be drowning in its own toxins, so to speak, if the vacuoles are not removed (like garbage bins should be removed from a household). The long triple-like shapes are aggregated proteins, also a toxic product, which should normally not be there. This is therefore a very sick cell, which will be dying soon.

Imifanekiso yeseli (Emantla ngasenxele): Le yiseli egulayo yamathambo-luvo, njengokuba ifumaneka kwisifo sika-Alzheimer. Iizanqa ezi zimhlophe zii-vathyuli ezinga wohlokanga. Umo wayo, iseli ephilileyo ayibi nazo ezi vathyuli, okanye ziye zibembalwa. Ubukho bazo buthetha ukuba iseli iye ifuthaniseke bubumdaka bayo (nje ngokuba imigqomo kuyekunyanzele ikhutshelwe ngaphandle). Imicu le emide ziiprotini ezihlanganeyo, iimveliso ezingcolileyo nazo, ezingafunekiyo. Itsho le ibeyiseli engaphilanga, elungiselela ukufa kwayo.

Artworks: “Woven lines” on paper by Zacharia Mukwira

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: “Imigca eyolukiweyo”, ephepheni, eyakhiwe nguZachariaMukwira

Cell images: The cells show super-resolved detail of a dense microtubule network (red), which, like a road network, allows the cell to transport material that needs to be removed. This network breaks down in Alzheimer’s disease, leaving the cell ‘stranded’ with all the toxic material. It ultimately dies because of this build-up. The network is arranged around the cell’s nucleus (blue), which contains and encodes all information for the entire body, uniquely inherited from the parents. The green signal (bottom) shows mitochondria, the power house of the cell, providing energy.

Imifanekiso yeseli: Ezi seli zibonisa, ngokubalaseleyo, ubufukufuku beziko lamathambo eseli elikwafana neziko leendlela, kuquka ii-mi-crotubule (bomvu) ezenzelwe uthutho lombandela nezinto ekufuneka zilahliwe. Olu thungelwano lifumaneka lonakele kwisifo sika-Alzheimer, lishiya iseli “ibandazekile” ligcwele bubumdaka obuyithyefu. Iseli iphela isifa ngenxa yokugcwala nokuvaleka bubumdaka. Olu thungelwano lihlengahlengiswe ukuba lingqunge iziko lemfuzo (luhlaza lwezulu), ziko elo liqulethe kwaye lifunjathiswe ngolwazi lomzimba wonke ngokukheth-ekileyo, ngokwelifa elizuzwe kubazali. Umqondiso oluhlaza (ngezantsi) ubonisa i-mitochondria, iziko lamandla eseli, linikela ngamandla.

Artworks: Woven baskets and placemats by Simon Shumi from locally sourced,

seasonal plant material and recycled cable

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: iiNgobozi eziphothiweyo namakhukho ka

Simon Shumi, osebenze ngezityalo (zeloxe-sha lithile) nempahla ezivuselelweyo

Cell image: A neuronal network. This network allows assessment of the way in which nerve cells communicate and operate together. It helps to understand, why some cells are easier injured and damaged, and others not. There is inherent network strength, which allows considerably more function compared to single cells in isolation.

Umfanekiso weseli: Uthungelwano lweseli zengqondo. Ezi seli zilinywe ngendlela yesakhiwo esithile (i-Micro-pattern), zivaleleke kwelothungelo limile okwe sakhiwo esithunguleneyo. Esi sakhiwo sivumelela ukuhlolwa kwe ndlela yonxibelelwano nokusetyenziswana phakathi kweseli zengqondo. Sinceda ekuhlalutyeni isizathu sokuba iiseli ezithile ziye zilimale kwaye zonakale lula kune zinye. Kukho amandla emvelo, othungelo, aqinisa ukusebenziseka xa uthungelo luthelekiswa ne seli eyodwa.

Artworks: Jewellery using handmade magazine strip beads and recycled

buttons, by Portia Mphangwa

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: Intsimbi eyenziwe ngamaso awazakheleyo

ngamasanto encwadi namaqhosha avuselelweyo, enziwe

nguPortia Mphangwa

Cell images: Top left: A cell undergoes the removal of unwanted materials through organelles termed autophagosomes (green). These move along the red roadmap, tubulin (red) to reach all the corners of the cell. In neurons, this is where communication takes place, which ultimately leads to the generation of a thought. When this particular activity pattern is recalled, the person remembers, and recalls this memory. When these cells die, memory is lost, and the person struggles to remember things. Top right: A cell with prominent processes, used in migration and movement. Green dots indicate autophagosomes, while red dots show mitochondrial DNA.

Imifanekiso yeseli: Emantla ngasenxele: Ngaphakati kweseli imibandela engasafunekiyo iye isuswe zizixhobo ezincinci ezibizwa nge autophagosomes (luhlaza). Zona zilandela kule ndlela ebomvu, i-tubulin (bomvu), zide zifekelele macala ngaphathi kwalo seli. Kwi seli zengqondo, kulapha apho khona unxibelelwano lenzeka khona, apho kuhamba kuyofikeleleka ekwakheni ingcinga. Ngamaxa wokubizwa kwesisakhiwo kulapho khona umntu aye akhumbule, ngokubiza inkumbulo ethile. Ukufa kweziseli, ziyalahleka iinkumbulo, asale umntu esoyisakala kukukhumbula izinto. Emantla esiphakathini: iSeli enezandiso ezisetyenziselwa ufuduko nentshukumo. Amachokoza aluhlaza abonisa ii-autophagosome, atsho lamachokoza abomvo aveze ufuzo leziko amandla. Emantla ngasekunene: iSeli enezandiso ezisetyenziselwa ufuduko nentshukumo. Amachokoza aluhlaza abonisa ii-autophagosome, atsho lamachokoza abomvo aveze ufuzo leziko amandla.

Artworks: Beadwork necklace, called Isiyaca, by Zingisa Vula. Traditionally worn at social events, weddings and functions.

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: Isiyaca, nguZingisa Vula. Ngokwesintu sinxityiwa kwiimbutho zolonwabo, emitshatweni nasemicimbini.

Cell image: Top left: This macrophage cel is infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis (red), which causes TB. The cell responds to this stress, and engulfs the bacteria in vacuolar autophagosome structures (green). Research unravels, how the host cell can be assisted in surviving this unwanted occupant. Top right: A group of cells (DNA, round structure), organelles (autophagosomes, green) and mitochondrial DNA (red).

Imifanekiso yeseli: Emantla ngasenxele: Le macrophage (ijoni lomzimba) isulelwe nge mycobacterium tuberculosis/intsholongwane yesifo sephepha (bomvu) ebanga isifo sephepha. Ngenxa yoluxinzelelo, leseli ibumba ivalele lentsholongwane kwimigongxo ye-autophagosome (luhlaza). Uphando lusithyilela ulwazi ngendlela zokuncedisa iiseli ezithabathekileyo zoyise lomhlali ungafunwayo. Emantla ngasekunene: Igquba leeseli (imfuzo, isakhiwo esingqukuva), iizixhobo ezincinci (i-autophagosome, luhlaza) nemfuzo yeziko lamandla (bomvu).

Artworks: Beadwork necklace, called Isiyaca, by Zingisa Vula.

Traditionally worn at social events, weddings and functions.

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: Isiyaca, nguZingisa Vula. Ngokwesintu

sinxityiwa kwiimbutho zolonwabo, emitshatweni nasemicimbini.

Cell images: Super-resolution structured illumination zooms very close into the nucleus (blue) of a cell, thereby resolving the DNA (blue) using Hoechst. It also shows the tubulin network in the perinuclear region (red) and in cyan one can see actin filaments. Some small green dots are also visible in the nucleus, which is a specific protein (LC3-GFP), important for proteostasis in the cell. Hence, this is also important in the context of neurodegeneration.

Imifanekiso yeseli: Ukhanyiso olucoselelweyo olubalaselisiwe kakhulu (ukuthabathwa kwemifanekiso ngeSuper-resolution structured illumination) lwandisa (lusisondeza) umphakathi lweziko lemfuzo (luhlaza lwezulu) leseli, lutsho lukhankanyise ufuzo xalichatshazelwe ngombala weHoechst. Luveza nothungelo lwe-tubulin kwisingqi esingqunga ufuzo (bomvu), neemicu yamathambo eseli ebonakala luhlazana. Kukhona namachokoza amancinci aluluhlaza lwezulu abonakala ngaphakathi kofuzo, ayiprotini ethile ebizwa (iLC3-GFP), ebaluleki-leyo ekulungelelwanisekeni komjikelo wee-protini. Ngoko itsho ibaluleke kwiimeko zobuthathaka.

Artworks: Glass bead bowls by Nomsa Mukwira.

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: Iingqayi ezihonjisiwe ngentsimbi, nguNomsa Mukwira

Artworks: Glass bead bowls by Nomsa Mukwira.

Imisebenzi yobugcisa: Iingqayi ezihonjisiwe ngentsimbi, nguNomsa Mukwira.

Cell images: Human glioma (brain cancer) sphere, indicating the level of the cellular self-cleaning/self-eating activity (autophagy). Cells express a specialised GFP-LC3-RFP-LC3/\G probe, allowing us to visualise and measure this autoph-agy activity. This assists in understanding tumour resistance to chemotherapy, as high autophagy levels help the cells to survive under stressful conditions. The aim is to weaken the cells, so that they die easily when treated with a chemotherapeutic agent.

Umfanekiso weseli: Isazinge somhlaza wengqondo (iGlioma) esibonisa izinga lwokuzicocisa kweseli/ isenzo sokuzikwetyisa (i-autophagy). iiSeli ziyezivelise isiphawuli sobuchule, i-GFP-LC3-RFP-LC3/\G, esivumelisa ukuba sikwazi ukubona nokulinganisa ubungakanani besisenzo sokuzikwetyisa (i-autophagy). Oku kunceda ekwakheni ulwazi ngoxhathiso lethumba lomhlaza kunyango lwechiza lomhlaza (i-chemotherapy), ekubeni izinga eliphezulu lokuzikwetyisa nge-autophagy lunceda iiseli ngokuzisindisa ngamaxa onxinzelelo. Injongo kukwenza iiseli zibebuthathaka ukwenzala ukuba zikwazi ukufa lula xa zidityaniswe nelichiza lonyango lomhlaza.

Cell image: The picture shows a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell stained with Hoechst (blue) showing the cell’s nucleus and DNA. In magenta we see actin cytoskeleton, in red we see the microtubule system and the green is GFP-LC3, which indicates the organelles called autophagosomes. The structures in green and red are failing and becoming dysfunctional in Alzheimer’s disease. The microtubules become destabilised and the autophagosomes accumulate with toxic protein cargo (proteotoxicity). Subsequently, after spending a long time in this diseased state, the cell dies. The bright magenta thin, long structure in the bottom left is a cellular process, rich in the actin cytoskelon, from a neighbouring cell, which is ‘touching’ this cell in view. Hence, some intercellular communication is occurring.

Umfanekiso weseli: Lomfanekiso ubonisa iseli yembumba yempuku (ifibroblast) echatshazelwe ngombala weHoechst (luhlaza) obonisa iziko lwemfuzo nemfuzo yeseli. Lombala upinki usibonisa amathambo eseli, i-actin, obomvu asibonise amasebe amathambo eseli, lo oluhlaza yi-GFP-LC3 ebonisa izixhobo ezincinci ezibizwa nge autophagosomes. Ezizakhiwo ziluhlaza nezi zibomvu ziyaphelelwa kwaye ziyanxunguphala kwisifo sika-Alzheimer. Amasebe amathambo eseli aye aphazamiseke, nee autophagosome ziyeziqokelele “umthwalo” bobumdaka wee-protini (ukukhubazeka kolungelelwaniso komjikelo wee-protini). Okulandelayo, emva kokuhlala ixesha elide kulemeko yasekuguleni, iseli iye ide ibe iyafa. Esisixhobo side sigqamileyo ngombala opinki, singezantsi enxele, yintambo yeseli ezele ngamathambo eseli (kwi seli engasecaleni) ebambelele kuleseli ivelileyo. Lonto ibangela ukuba iiseli zikwazi ukunxibelelana.

Andre du Toit, Kim Fredericks, Jurgen Kriel, Craig Kinnear, Naomi Okugbeni, Kyra Waso, Tamryn Barron, Sinnead Cogill, Demi Pylman, Nsuku Nkuna and Ben Loos.

Autophagy research group | Iqela lophando lweAutophagyFrom left to right: Ukusuka ngasenxele ukuyotsho ngasekunene: Leah Michie,

Dr Andre du Toit, Prof Ben Loos, Dr Tando Maduna, Nicola Heathcote, Kim Fredericks,

Sholto De Wet, Jurgen Kriel, Zubayr Kader.

Micrographs by Imifanekiso ezukisiweyo

Project coordinators / Abalungelelanisi bomsebenzi: Prof. Ben Loos (Physiological Sciences) and Prof. Elmarie Costandius (Visual Arts)Stellenbosch University Social Impact Division: Dr Leslie van Rooy

Research / Uphando: Dr Tando Maduna (Physiological Sciences)Curator and exhibition coordinator / Umalathisi: Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen

isiXhosa translations / uToliko: Dr Tando Maduna (Physiological Sciences) and SU Language Centre Cell information compiled / iIncukacha zeeseli zibhalwe: Prof Ben Loos

Brochure layout and design / Ubume nolwakhiwo lwencwadana Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen and Prof. Elmarie Costandius Photographs of artworks / Imifanekiso wemisebenzi yobugcisa: Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen

Project assistance / Abancedisi bomsebenzi: Nocawe Piedt and Anthea JosephRupert Museum collaborators / Abalingani bemyuziyam iRupert: Robyn-Leigh Cedras-Tobin and Eliz-Marie Schoonbee

Framing of artworks / Izakhelo zemisebenzi yobugcisa: Alan and Anne RaubenheimerPrinting of micrographs / Ushicelelo lwemisebenzi ezukusiweyo: ORMS

uMsebenzi womboniso

wempembeleko yentlalo

weenkonzo zobugcisa

nobunzululwazi bomzimba,

iYunivesity yaseStellenbosch

A Social Impact

Project Exhibition of the

departments of Visual Arts and

Physiological Sciences,

Stellenbosch University

Rupert Museum, Stellentia Road, Stellenbosch021 888 3344info@rupertmuseum.orgwww.rupertmuseum.org@rupertmuseum (Facebook and Instagram)

Ben Loos Naomi Okugbeni & Craig Kinnear

Ben Loos Akile Khoza and Claudia Ntsapi

Jurgen Kriel Andre du Toit Ben Loos Ben Loos

Jurgen Kriel Ben Loos Kim Fredericks Kyra Waso and Andre du Toit

Ben Loos Ben Loos Akile Khoza Ben Loos

Credits / Ushicelelo lwemisebenzi ezukusiweyo

Transmission electron micrograph of a neuron. Mitochondria and vacuolar structures are assessed due to their involvement in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. (Dumisile Lumkwana)

Jurgen Kriel

A glioma sphere, expressing a specific autophagy tandem fluorescent probe, allowing to visualise the activity of a protein clearance pathway. This pathway is involved in tumour resistance. (Jurgen Kriel)

Jurgen Kriel

The mitochondria, which normally provide energy (ATP) to the cell, become dysfunctional in neurodegeneration. They form a dynamic network that undergoes constant change. Measuring this change accurately and quantitatively allows us to understand the health status of the cell. (Jurgen Kriel)

Dumisile Lumkwana

Jurgen Kriel

Umfanekiso ozukisiweyo womthambo-luvo othatyathwe ngesibonakhulu sodluliselo lwamasunstwana amancinane e-athom. Amaziko amandla eseli nee zakhiwo ezibu-vatyhuli zihlolwe ngenxa yokubandakanyeka kwi mvelaphi yesifo sika-Alzheimer. (uDumisile Lumkwana)

Isazinge somhlaza wengqondo (iGlioma) esivelisa isiphawuli esimabala aqaqambileyo sobuchule senkqubo yokuzikwetyisa, esivumela ukubona ukusebenza kwendlela yococo lweprotini. (uJurgen Kriel)

Amaziko amandla eseli, aqhele ukunikela amandla (iATP) kwiseli, aye angasebenzi kakuhle kwiimeko zobutathaka bemithambo-luvo. Aye akhe uthungelwano odlamkileyo oluhleli luneenguqulelo. Umlinganiselo ochanileyo nolobuninzi weezinguquko uvumela ukuqonda kwesimo sempilo seseli. (uJurgen Kriel)

A glioma sphere model. Cells group together and form a spheroid, which is very similar to a tumour in its environment. It is important to understand how the cells differ across such spheres, which cells are more malignant and which are more resistant to treatment. Here, a glioma sphere is indicated by cytoskeletal markers. (Jurgen Kriel)

Umzekelo wesazinge somhlaza wengqondo (iGlioma). Iiseli ziye zidabane, zenze isazingana esifana nethumba elikwimeko-bume balo. Kubalulekile ukuqonda ukuba iiseli zahluke njani ngokwe zazingwana ezinje ezithile, zeziphi iiseli ezihlasela ngobungozi kwaye zeziphi ezichasene nonyango. Apha, iGlioma ivezwa ngesibonisi samathambo eseli. (uJurgen Kriel)

How to prepare and generate the micrographs

The microscopes employed here are a confocal super-resolution fluorescence microscope and

a transmission electron microscope. The fluorescence micrographs require to bind a fluorescent probe to the structure

(here specific proteins) that one wishes to visualize. A laser is then used to excite this fluorescent probe, which emits

light, a bit like a fire fly, at a certain wavelength. Thus light is, as photons, recorded on a very sensitive device, allowing to

be precise in which structure to visualize. No other, non-labeled structure is therefore seen. Electron microscopy does

not use lasers but a beam of electrons. The sample needs to contain special reagents that bind to all structures in the

cell, resulting in a specific electron density. Hence, all intracellular structures can be observed with great detail. Because

electrons are used, the resolving power is much greater. Each microscope type gives therefore specific information,

and is chosen to best answer a specific scientific question.

Ukulungiselela nokwenza imifanekiso ezukisiweyo

Imifakeniso ezukisiweyo emibala aqaqambileyo iye iphumelele ekubophelelweleni

kwesiphandi esinebala eliqaqambileyo kulonto (iprotini kulomzekelo) ekufuneka ibonakele.

Isixhobo esipapasha ukukhanya (iLeyiza) sitsho sisetyenziselwe ekukuchulumancisweni

kwesosiphandi esiphuma ukukhanya nje nge nkanyezi, ngokomgama othile wobude weliza. Ngoko, ukukhanya buye

bubalwe ngokomlinganiselo wefotoni, ngesixhobo esithabatha ingxelo ngokukhawuleza, esivumela ukubona

izinto ngokuchanekileyo. Ngoko, ayibikho enye into eyiye ibonakale, engafakwanga mpawu. Imbonokhulu

yodluliselo lwamasunstwana e-athom isebenzisa imiqadi yamasuntswana e-athom endaweni yopapasho

lokukhanya. Esosiqwengana singumzekelo, kuye kufuneke sihlanjiwe ngamachiza athile aye azibophelele kwizakhiwo

zangaphakathi kweseli, kutsho kubekhona uxinano lwamasunstwana e-athom olukhethekileyo. Ngoko zonke

izakhiwo ezingaphakathi kweseli ziye zibonakale ngokweenkcukacha. Ukusetyenziswa lwamasunstwana e-athom

buphuhlisa amandla obaliselo. Intlobo nganye yesibonakhulu sinikeza ulwazi olukhethekileyo, kwaye siye sikhethwe

ngokuba sesiphi isixhobo esingcono ekuphendileni umbuzo othile wobunzululwazi.

A special thank you to the Rupert Museum

for hosting this exhibition and the Stellenbosch University Social Impact Division

for making this project possible

Sibulela imyuziyam iRupert ngokusiphathela lomboniso,

neSahlulo sempembeleko yentlalo eYunivesithi yaseStellenbosch

ngokuvumela impumelelo yalomsebenzi

No information or images can be copied, reproduced, distributed, published or displayed without written permission from elmarie@sun.ac.za