A video by Ning Xu of Tsinghua University won the 16th Nikon Small World in Motion prize for documenting abnormal airway cilia beating in a child with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Xu used advanced imaging to capture roughly 10 seconds of motion, demonstrating how irregular ciliary beats impair lung clearance and raise infection risk. The competition drew 347 entries from 40 countries and celebrates the intersection of scientific discovery and visual artistry. Runners-up included Nguyen Nam Nhat, Benedikt Pleyer, Andrew Moore and Patrick Hickey.
Stunning Microscopy Video of Abnormal Airway Cilia Wins Nikon Small World In Motion Prize
Nikon Small World/ Dr. Ning Xu
A mesmerizing microscopic video that captures abnormal airway cilia movement in a child with a rare genetic disorder has won the 16th annual Nikon Small World in Motion competition. The footage, produced by Ning Xu of Tsinghua University in Beijing, uses advanced imaging to reveal how tiny hairlike cilia beat irregularly in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).
Using a high-resolution, motion-sensitive imaging system, Xu recorded approximately 10 seconds of active ciliary motion — a duration she says is essential to understand how the structures behave in health and disease. Cilia normally sweep mucus and debris out of the airways in coordinated waves; when they beat abnormally, airway clearance is impaired, increasing the risk of recurrent respiratory infections.
Ning Xu: "To understand this disease, you need to observe around 10 seconds of motion, not just a still image. When people watch cilia beating, they immediately understand that something beautiful and important is happening inside us."
About the Competition
Founded to celebrate advances in microscopic imaging and visualization, the Nikon Small World in Motion contest draws entrants from photographers, scientists and videographers worldwide. This year the video category received 347 submissions from 40 countries and was judged by a panel of experts in science and advanced light microscopy.
Eric Flem, Nikon Instruments: "Xu's entry, and the work of all our winners, reflects the competition's long-standing mission to inspire wonder, fuel discovery, and showcase the artistry of scientific exploration."
Winners and Highlights
The judges awarded first place to Ning Xu for her revealing footage of ciliary dysfunction in a child with PCD. The runners-up included:
- Second place: Nguyen Nam Nhat — a close-up video of a tiny roundworm interacting with a single-celled Dileptus.
- Third place: Benedikt Pleyer — jellyfish larvae suspended in water droplets, rendered with striking clarity.
- Fourth place: Andrew Moore — synchronized cell division observed in neighboring cells.
- Fifth place: Patrick Hickey — dynamic imaging of mitochondria (green) and chloroplasts (red) within turtle vine leaf cells.
The winning entry highlights how motion-based microscopy can communicate complex biology to both specialists and the general public, turning scientific observation into an accessible visual language.
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