Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Nature's Nets
29 November 2016

Nature's Nets

This image shows two immune cells known as neutrophils, magnified hundreds of times with a scanning electron microscope. First discovered more than a hundred years ago, they act as the first line of defence in the body, pumping out anti-microbial chemicals and swallowing up bacteria and viruses. But in 2004, high-powered microscopes revealed a third mode of attack: casting out a deadly net of DNA and protein fibres – shown spewing from the right-hand cell in this image – that catches and disarms invading bugs. Formally known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), they form localised ‘cages’ that focus germ-fighting power in a small area and avoid causing damage to neighbouring healthy cells. Although this is a powerful infection-beating mechanism, it’s not so good for the neutrophil. Because forming a NET requires the cell to throw out all its DNA – containing all the genetic instructions for life – it dies in the process.

Written by Kat Arney

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.