The watchers

In this image captured by Clément Perrot, microglial cells appear in green and blue, spreading out their ramifications in the spinal cord like an invisible vigilance network.

Sentinels of the central nervous system, they continuously scan their environment, ready to react to the slightest imbalance or danger signal.

Their star-like shape, clearly visible here, indicates a state of active alertness. In the event of an alert, these cells change morphology and initiate an inflammatory response.

But beyond their defensive role, this image reveals an intimate dialogue between immunity and neuronal networks, at the very heart of the spinal cord.

Observing these cells means seeing the first signs of repair or imbalance - even before symptoms appear.

Each microglia visible here embodies a tissue memory, a silent presence that shapes the balance of the nervous system.