Through January 14, 2019, the North Carolina Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition that showcases the hidden beauty of biomedical research happening in the labs of the UNC School of Medicine.

The Art of Science and Innovation” is a free exhibition using stunning images from the UNC School of Medicine that highlight the exquisite elegance found in organic structures, from the symmetry of individual cells to complex tissues in the brain that make memory storage possible.

“The images in the exhibition showcase the unexpected beauty found in the life-changing medical and scientific research that happens every day at UNC,” said Dr. Bill Roper, CEO of UNC Health Care and Dean of the UNC School of Medicine, in a press release. “As North Carolina’s health care system, UNC Health Care approaches medicine through collaboration and creative thinking, striving to deliver high quality care for all North Carolinians. We are incredibly proud of these researchers who exemplify that combination of creativity and scientific thinking.”

The images found in the exhibition are part of ongoing research and contribute to the future of medicine as they provide insight into and assist understanding of the most basic functions of the human body — and some of the ailments that plague it, such as cystic fibrosis, heart disease and autism spectrum disorder.

“The Art of Science and Innovation is an important example of arts integration,” said Emily Kotecki, manager of Interpretation at the North Carolina Museum of Art, in a press release. “Integrating the arts helps collapse the walls of traditional subject matter and makes all learners more aware of the interdisciplinary world they inhabit. The NCMA uses this approach in working with teachers and students to make connections, foster creative and critical thinking, and develop awareness of multiple perspectives.”