The competition attracted over 100 entries from researchers, who are investigating at the cellular level conditions such as cancer, HIV, and neurodegenerative disease. An expert scientific panel of five judges shortlisted the finalists for each category, which then went forward to the public vote.

Dr Eric Roman, GM, research and applied markets, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, said: "This year's winning images are as beautiful and compelling as ever. Not only can they be appreciated from an aesthetic point of view, but they remind us of the cellular complexity behind disease and why the study of cells is so important. We thank all the contestants for sending us their images, the judging panel and everyone who cast a vote."

This year's shortlist was selected by Dr Kristie Nybo, assistant editor at BioTechniques; Dr Julian Heath, editor, Microscopy & Analysis; Dr Nick Thomas, principal scientist, GE Healthcare; Dr Paul Goodwin, science director at GE Healthcare; and former GE Healthcare Cell Imaging Competition winner Dr Leslie Caron, research scientist at Genea.