
The ORS Scientific Photo Competition, hosted by the ORS Ambassadors, invited attendees to submit scientific images associated with orthopaedic research or other related science, emphasizing the significance of art in science and the goal of highlighting musculoskeletal research. Previously conducted virtually, the ORS Scientific Photo Competition became fully integrated with the ORS Annual Meeting in 2024. Participants were encouraged to submit their images prior to the Annual Meeting, where attendees then voted on their favorites on-site. The top three winning images were promoted on the ORS Connect Newsletter and across social media platforms.
Click on each photo to view a larger image.
Amandine Impergre
A SEM image capturing the intricate landscape of Titanium dioxide nanotubes, meticulously fabricated on a Titanium wire via an electrochemical anodization process. This innovative technique is followed by the encapsulation of gentamicin, an antimicrobial drug, within these nanotubes, aimed at combating periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of joint implants. The image unveils the presence of spherical structures representing bacterial biofilm, Staphylococcus aureus, which forms on the surface of the wire following a 14-day period of insertion into the right femoral intramedullary region of mice without the gentamicin encapsulation.
Quentin Meslier
Whole-mount immuno fluorescence of connexin 43 and osteopontin in a mouse tibia, illustrating our new protocol for whole-mount molecular labeling in 3D mouse bones. A-3D view of a mouse tibia midshaft labeled for connexin 43 acquired with lighsheet microscopy. B-Longitudinal 2D view of the 3D mouse tibia midshaft showing connexin 43 and osteopontin expression in the cortical bone. B’-Zoom in the cortical bone showing connexin 43 signal around the osteocytes. C-2Dview of mouse trabecular bone showing connexin 43 and osteopontin expression.
Rebecca Reals
This is animmunohistochemistry image of a collagen gel seeded with fibroblasts, which is frequently used as an in vitro model of diseases that involve stiffness, fibrosis, and contracture in the connective tissue. This gel has been treated with an anti-fibrotic drug in order to inhibit cell contractility. Each color corresponds to a different marker of cell morphology: Blue represents cell nuclei, green represents activated myofibroblasts, yellow represents normal fibroblasts, and red represents the cytoskeleton. We can compare this with images of gels treated with other drugs to understand how individual cells alter their structure in response to different treatments.
Rebecca M. Irwin
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) donate mitochondria to chondrocytes in this image of 2D co-culture. MSC mitochondria (green) can be seen traveling along actin cell extensions (grey) to adjacent chondrocytes. Notably, MSC actin extensions have enriched connexin 43 (red) staining at their cell protrusions along which mitochondria travel.
Sophie Or
A TRAP-stained image of a mouse femur was used to construct a kaleidoscopic design while still maintaining identifiable bone features. Bright fuchsia staining denotes osteoclast cells on the bone surface, and dark purple denotes trabecular bone. Lacunae housing osteoclasts can be seen in the light pink cortical bone on the perimeter of the image
Thomas M. Li
Sprague-Dawley rats underwent long head of the biceps tenodesis to investigate the effect of tendon inversion on bone tunnel healing. Specifically, the epitenon was surgically removed, and the procedure exposed the intratendinous fascicles to the bone healing surface. Pictured are rat humeri stained with(L-R)hematoxylin andeosin (H&E), Safranin O, and Picrosirius red and Alcian blue visualized by visible light at 20X.
Meng Feng, MD PhD
Michael David, PhD
This image highlights our research on studying elbow contracture/osteoarthritis and enhancing rat elbows’ magnetic resonance image (T1-weighted sequence) resolution using machine learning. Left to right: low-resolution image, high-resolution image, enhanced low-resolution image generated using our trained VarNet machine learning model, and the image generated using Google’s Deepdream machine learning model.
Emma Coltoff
Ballet dancers make the most of their range of spinal mobility through movements like “circular port de bras”(circulars weeping of the spine) or “grand port de bras” (forward to backward bend).Though the data in the “skirts” were captured on synthetic lumbar spinal segment surrogates, they off era new, playful way to visualize the full range of possible stiffness behavior of the spine while going through similar loading in experimental conditions.
Hayman Lui, MD, PhD
This section of the knee joint encapsulates a unique viewpoint of both macroscopic and microscopic details in the femur, tibia, cartilage and ligament architecture. The imposing blue stain demarcates the collagen network within bone and the swirling red and orange stain outlines the connective soft tissue. This image demonstrates the intricacy and complexity of the musculoskeletal system: a colorful balance of function and mechanical stability.
Dirk Hubmacher, PhD
In these experiments, we investigated the formation of extra cellular matrices, which are critical for the structure and function of musculoskeletal tissues. The image shows a co-culture of HEK293 cells expressing fibrillin-1 and human dermal fibroblasts. The ECM was stained for fibronectin (red) and fibrillin-1 (green).
Li (Jasmine) Xiao
Exploring the intersection of quantum physics and consciousness, this image ventures into the possibility that the microcosmic world might hold keys to understanding and managing pain in orthopedic disciplines. It raises the intriguing question of whether the subtle energies and interactions at the quantum level could unlock new frontiers in alleviating back pain, challenging us to look beyond the macroscopic to the very fabric of reality and the very root of the world. This image serves as a compelling beacon, inspiring scientists, including but not limited to orthopedic researchers, to consider the potential of quantum principles in pioneering unique pain management strategies