Daniel McIntyre, Research Technician, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School

Although this newborn mouse’s skeleton lacks the symmetry and smooth colors of a Georgia O’Keefe painting, the abstraction hints at the symbolism found in so many of her works. To achieve this image, the soft tissues were first dissolved away with a mixture of enzymes and chemicals, and the remaining boney structures were treated with visible dyes to distinguish between ossified bone (green) and cartilage (rusty red). The result is a more realistic rendition of the skeleton, both an artistic and scientific bonus.