"Self Worth" is an interactive cell nucleus that values cells based on their research worth. 

In this work, audience members are invited to generate their own speculative cell by standing in front of an interactive sculpture. The cells made in the gallery emulate methylation (the precursor to cancer) seen in the imaging techniques the team have been developing in the lab. Just like living cells, the chance of methylation can change based on interactions and decisions. Indicating how dangerous their made cell is versus how valuable it might be for research and understanding disease.

This team have come together to make visible the “control panel” of the cell, working on new imaging techniques for cancer detection. Finding diagnostic techniques that can be applied at a single-cell level.

Work made for the residency @SMQB. Made in collaboration with Robert Neely, Anthony Samuel, Paul Roberts, Dave Smith, Fabian Spill, Sabrina Kombrink at the Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine at University of Birmingham.