B0006424. Wellcome Image Awards 2008. Embargo until 00.01 hrs Tuesday 11 March 2008.
A carpet of red blood cells clearly showing their typical biconcave disc shape. This highly flexible shape provides a large surface area for absorption and release of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and allows the cells to move easily through the finest of capillaries.
Colour-enhanced scanning electron micrograph by Dave McCarthy and Annie Cavanagh