Keratinocyte

This is a transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of a keratinocyte cell in culture. Keratinocytes are the cells that compose the most outer layer of skin, the epidermis. These cells can be cultured and use to treat burn patients. The "face" is the nucleus, the "eyes" and "smile" are nucleoli, as well as the "tear". The "necklace" is composed of keratin filaments, a basic protein component of epidermis. This image was not subjected to any kind of manipulation, except some correction of contrast and levels applied to the full image.