In Nikon’s Small World in Motion competition, Dr. Ning Xu captures the abnormal beating of airway cilia from a child with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD).

“When people watch cilia beating, they immediately understand that something beautiful and important is happening inside us,” says Xu, a researcher based in Beijing. The video, which won this year’s contest, brings to life the otherwise microscopic world of cellular movement, turning microscopy into a shared, educational experience.

The competition, now in its 16th year, received over 340 video entries from 40 countries. This year’s panel included esteemed scientists, researchers, and science communicators who evaluated the submissions. Winning videos can be viewed on the competition’s website, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of microscopic organisms.

The annual contest not only showcases the beauty of microscopic life but also highlights the importance of scientific research in understanding genetic disorders and other medical conditions. As we continue to explore the microscopic universes around us, the Small World in Motion competition stands as a testament to the enduring fascination with the unseen.