From Science to Art

Science is beautiful. Just ask the organizers of the Art and Science Exhibition at the 18th Annual International Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology. The exhibition, also called "Visual Reflections on Science," aims to bring together biology, medicine, computer science, mathematics and statistics in a display of microscopic images, photographs of gels, scatter plots, network graphs, phylogenetic trees, and any other visual products of experiments and studies that, beyond their scientific value, look like they could hang in a gallery. ISMB suggests the transition from science to art opens "our eyes and minds to reflect on the work that we are undertaking." Participants in the exhibition are referred to as "artists" rather than conference attendees, and will have the chance of winning a $200 prize. The concept of science as art has become quite popular. The New York Daily News recently highlighted the photography of Nick Veasey, who X-rays all of his subjects to "get under their skin." Science as art can also be personalized. For about $200, DNA11 will turn your genetic code into a work of art.