Janet Iwasa Explains How to Build Effective Biological Visualizations
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Janet Iwasa has delivered a guide to visual communication in biology, covering the main categories of scientific imagery: microscopy and live-cell imaging, molecular structures from cryo-EM and crystallography, charts and tables, and model diagrams that explain mechanisms. Her recommended workflow starts with describing the process, then sketching early and often with pen and paper before moving to software. Practical advice includes using color to distinguish data classes or subunits and choosing bar graphs for quantitative data. She also points researchers to the Nature Methods 'Points of View' series (2011–2013) by Bang Wong and colleagues and the 'Points of Significance' articles for further guidance. The talk focuses on research communication methods rather than specific findings, and is aimed at researchers preparing figures for talks and papers.
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- YouTubeVisual Communication in Biology: Making Images, Structures, Data Figures and Model Diagrams (Janet Iwasa)
Janet Iwasa outlines categories of biological visualization, from microscopy and live-cell imaging to molecular structures derived from cryo-EM and crystallography, charts and tables, and model diagrams that explain mechanisms. She recommends describing the process first, then sketching early and often with pen and paper before using software, using color to distinguish data classes or subunits, and using charts such as bar graphs for quantitative data. She also points to the Nature Methods 'Points of View' series (2011–2013) by Bang Wong and colleagues and the 'Points of Significance' articles. The talk teaches research communication methods rather than specific research findings, and is useful for researchers preparing figures for talks and papers.
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