Dendritic Cell and T Cell Interaction

For my research in the biomedical visualization program at UIC, I’ve been exploring 3D modeling techniques to represent complex cellular and molecular interactions. The image I’m presenting specifically illustrates the interaction between a dendritic cell and a T cell during antigen presentation. To achieve a realistic depiction, I emulated the look of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image using Maxon Cinema 4D. By incorporating displacement and Fresnel effects, I was able to enhance the cellular surface details, while dramatic subsurface scattering helped simulate the interaction of light with the cells' materials. The lighting setup was carefully designed to highlight the textural contrasts, adding to the SEM-like realism. After rendering the scene, I further refined the image in Adobe Photoshop, where I composited the various elements and fine-tuned the details to match the desired aesthetic. This image visually documents my research into the dynamic processes occurring at the cellular level, providing both educational and aesthetic insights into the molecular world.