Benny Shilo

I am a professor of Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. My laboratory focuses on genetic dissection of the process of embryogenesis, using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model system. Surprisingly, the mechanisms regulating the development of embryos in flies and humans are so similar, that we can learn a lot about embryonic development at large from the humble fruit fly. My work involves constant analysis of microscopic images, which are not only informative, but also esthetically beautiful. 

 

I have recently completed a book called "Life's blueprint: The science and art of embryo creation", which is aimed at the general reader, and tries to explain the recent breakthroughs in our understanding of embryonic development in a clear and simple language. The text is accompanied by image pairs that highlight the seminal concepts: By showing analogies between the behavior of cells in the developing embryo and the rules that govern human society, the paradigms are presented in a way which resonates with the viewer's experiences.

 

I have been photographing for many years. In the past fifteen years frequent travels to the east have inspired me to convey the atmosphere of exotic places and their people through pictures. I am also photographing a food blog with my daughter Anat Shilo.