Check out this very cool computer animation titled:

The Inner Life of the Cell

produced by BioVisions at Harvard University

http://aimediaserver.com/studiodaily/harvard/harvard.swf


I really enjoyed being able to show this movie to my two young daughters and explain what is actually occurring within our bodies. Images like these are a great way to engage the general public that may otherwise be intimidated and untrustful of current scientific progress. It is also a terrific way to get young potential scieintists interested in pursuing careers in science.

Please feel free to post your reactions and/or comments to this movie.

I'd like to see the full-length version. Nice demo for the longer video.

- Jon

Jon:

If you happen to run across where we can access a full length video, please post it. I would definitely like to see more of what BioVision can do.

Speaking a very cool videos you should check out "What the bleep do we know?". This film deals with attempting to explain the strange world of quantum physics while incorporating human spirituality. It can be hokey at times, but with all things considered its a must see film!

http://www.whatthebleep.com/

This was excellent - a step ahead of CellsAlive.com!

ostiekam:

Thank you for posting this link to the narrated version of this video. I think animation like this can really make a huge impact on both the scientific and non-scientific community. Visualization of scientific theories like this not only helps scientists better understand these concepts, but they are very beneficial to introducing complex systems to the non-scientific community. I know my family was very excited to see these and find out what the images were actually showing. As a scientist, it is fascinating for me to be able to explain to other the inner workings of cells. Thanks again.

This inspired me to look up some more sites that 'visualize' concepts in cell and molecular biology and microbiology, rather than just the pretty confocal pictures of our favorite experimental cells!
Among the ones of note are:
CellsAlive (www.cellsalive.com)
A whole collection of images combined with flash animation covering a wide spectrum of biological processes, in multiple organisms. Sadly, the site is not fully open access, but one can view the animations on-site.

very informative video!!

Thanks for sharing the knowledge with us, I believe in this kind of education...

Another Life Science Video Sharing Community

http://bio-alive.com

Life scientists can share and watch videos online. Free registration, free uploading videos and free posting comments. Videos can be related but not limited to biology, neuroscience, histology, pathology, immunology, laboratory methods, techniques and procedures.