Neurons in Nature
Neurons in Nature
Kennedy’s disease is a rare neuromuscular disease involving muscular degeneration and neurodegeneration, which is inherited and progresses gradually.
In this piece I have symbolised its characteristics through the growth of a tree.
The tree trunk is constructed from muscle, constricting at its roots by long CAG (cytosine, adenine, guanine) repeating DNA. This is a defining trait of Kennedy’s disease and the underlying root cause found in patients’ androgen receptor gene.
External vegetation has been introduced to strangle the muscle, resulting in muscle atrophy and weakness. The tree branches represent its progression towards motor neuron degeneration, including both healthy and unhealthy motor neurons. This gradually reduces the ability to control muscle as the disease progresses.
Kennedy’s disease also only affects males, which is captured through the use of male flowers using the stamen as the satellite that attaches to the muscle fibres, portraying the concept of regeneration.
Artist – Georgina Burton
Georgina Burton specialises in intricate ink paintings, using imagination to conjure surreal worlds and fantasy inspired landscapes.
Georgina is passionate about the power of storytelling through illustration and creating windows to other worlds that encourage curiosity, adventure and discovery. Based in Cambridge, its cityscape is used as inspiration across many of her paintings.
Wenanlan Jin
PhD Student, University College London
Dr Annalucia Darbey
Postdoc, University College London
Kennedy’s disease is a rare neuromuscular disorder that primarily affects men. Patients suffer from a weakening in the muscles in the arms, legs and head region with patients usually becoming wheelchair bound 20 years after the first onset of symptoms. Our team is investigating this rare disease and developing new therapies to target the genetic cause.