Venkatesh Kittur, Nuclear Radiance: The Genetic Pulse of Plant Life (CREATIVE 2025)

This image is a creative interpretation of the plant cell nucleus — the part of the cell that stores and protects its genetic information. Using a single shot macro image of the centre of a flower blossom and a few digital filters in post production, the artwork shows the nucleus as a glowing centre, full of movement and energy. The dense core in the middle represents the nucleolus, where important cell parts like ribosomes begin to form. The colourful strands radiating outward suggest DNA packed into chromatin, as well as the flow of genetic instructions being sent out to the rest of the cell. The circular pattern reflects the way the nucleus controls and coordinates nearly every function in the cell. This image blends art and biology to help us see the invisible structures that keep plants—and all life—functioning.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.