Newswise — To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the development of green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a tagging tool for bioscience, the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) has launched a contest to find amazing images and videos that demonstrate the beauty of fluorescent proteins. Winning images and videos will be featured during the 2019 ASCB|EMBO Meeting in Washington, DC, December 7-11.

Some History

Green fluorescent protein was first discovered by Osamu Shimomura. In 1994, there were two papers published showing how GFP could be used as a tool for bioscience: 1) by ASCB member Martin Chalfie and Douglas Prasher and others, which showed that GFP could be used as a biological marker; and 2) by Tulle Hazelrigg describing the first GFP fusion protein. Since then scientists have been using many other colors of fluorescent proteins to illuminate different cellular structures and genetic markers. (See a review by Rodriguez et al.) Fluorescent proteins have also impacted the manner in which we see dynamic biological processes, develop biomedical tools and detection strategies, and have even generated consumer goods.​

How to Enter

You do not need to be a member of ASCB to enter. Image and video files will be accepted between May 15 and October 15, 2019. Use this link to submit images and video.

Submissions should be high-resolution images or short 15-second videos that show the use of any color fluorescent protein. Copyrighted or previously published images will not be accepted.

All entries must include a caption of no more than 125 words that captures key features of the piece in concise language. Explain your science in a way that can be understood by a broad audience. For example, how does your science impact what we understand about how cells work in the body? The description will be judged as well as the image or video.

Each submission may have up to five credited co-submitters, that is one submitter and up to four additional co-participants. Submitters must be at least 18 years old. Minors must have an adult who is or has permission from the appropriate legal guardian to submit on their behalf. ASCB is not responsible for obtaining the permission of legal guardians or verifying that it has been obtained.

Selection and Judging

Multiple winners will be chosen for images that are striking, scientific, and/or humorous. Winning images and videos will be judged based on their aesthetic appeal, creativity, and scientific accuracy.

The contest ends at 11:59 pm EDT on October 15, 2019. Members of the ASCB Public Information Committee will choose the winning images and videos in each category, as well as the images that will be featured as the People’s Choice and shared with the public via social media using the hashtag #GFP25.

Winner Notification and Recognition

Winners will be notified via email after the review is completed. The winning images and videos will be featured at the 2019 ASCB|EMBO Meeting in Washington, DC, December 7-11, in a variety of ways.

ASCB Green Fluorescent Image and Video Contest

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