Brain art to show beautiful minds

Neuroscientists can produce brain images that are visually interesting as well as scientifically informative

University researchers in Cardiff are being asked to submit their most striking images of the brain for a competition.

The contest marks Brain Awareness Week which runs from 14 to 20 March.

The aim is to find the most visually interesting image of the brain produced using the wide variety of imaging techniques now available to scientists.

The winning images will be shown on the BBC Big Screen in the Hayes in Cardiff city centre in March.

Dr David McGonigle, from Cardiff University's schools of psychology and biosciences, said: "The last 50 years have been witness to an incredible increase in the number of imaging techniques available to neuroscientists.

"Many now regularly produce images that are not only scientifically informative, but aesthetically pleasing as well.

"Stunning colours are created by the fluorescent dyes used in microscopy."

The winning images will be shown on the big screen in the Hayes, Cardiff

"In addition, whole brain magnetic resonance (MR) images can show levels of detail in living brains that were unimaginable only 20 years ago."

Dr McGonigle hopes that the images produced will help to demystify neuroscience and make it more accessible to the wider community.

Images submitted to the competition will be judged by a panel of university researchers and local artists both on their scientific merit and artistic content.

The winner will receive a £50 voucher while the winning and runner-up images will be displayed on the BBC Big Screen outside St David's Hall.

The deadline for submitting images is Friday, 11 February. They should be emailed to [e-mail]