Images Dated 28th September 2004

DNA molecule

DNA molecule. Computer artwork of a molecule of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) with the chemical formulas of its components. DNA is composed of two sugar-phosphate backbones (blue) and nucleotide bases (red, yellow, green and purple). There are four different bases: guanine, cytosine, thymine and adenine. DNA contains sections called genes, which encode the body's genetic information

© PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

HST composite image of star cluster NGC 1850

Composite ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of the old star cluster NGC 1850, found in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The cluster is mainly formed by yellow stars which are about 50 million years old. White, more massive and younger stars (4 million years old) are seen scattered in the frame. The difference between the ages of these two populations of stars suggests that they are two separate star groups lying along the same line of sight. It is thought that supernova explosions in the older cluster might have triggered the birth of the younger cluster

© NASA/ESA/STSCI/R.GILMOZZI, ET AL./ SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

TEM of a Borna disease virus, cause of depression

Borna virus. Coloured Transmission Electron Micro- graph of a Borna virus in a tissue culture. The virus causes the fatal Borna disease in horses and may be a cause of human psychiatric diseases such as clinical depression & schizophrenia. The virus has an outer membrane (envelope, yellow). This encloses the genetic material (blue) which is comprised of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). Borna infects a wide range of creatures, including humans. It infiltrates the nervous system, being particularly found in parts of the brain, such as the hippocam- pus and hypothalamus, which control emotions and desires. Drugs to treat Borna may cure psychiatric diseases. Magnification: x180, 000 at 6x4.5cm size

© DR JURGEN RICHT/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY