about this illustration

The balancing toy in the center of this image represents an organism maintaining homeostasis. Homeostatic mechanisms are regulated by multiple factors, such as DNA, proteins, steroids, pathogens and cells, which are depicted around the balancing toy. The background of this image is reminiscent of an unstable, ever-changing external environment.

This illustration was created by Ms. Minori Onda in Ryusuke Niwa's laboratory.