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John Chilton

@axonology.bsky.social
522 followers 518 following 91 posts

Aquatic ape 🌊🏊‍♂️🏄‍♂️ cartoonophile ✏ recovering neurobiologist 🧠 Passionate about education and science communication 👨‍🏫📢🔬🦠🧫 For more see www.axonology.com

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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
How can humanities and humour enhance medicine & science? I discuss this on The Blood Project podcast about using cartoons & art in my teaching & outreach Listen at The Blood Project www.thebloodproject.com/follow-your-... Read more on my website axonology.com/drawing-blood/ #SciArt 🧪 #EduSky #blood
axonology.com
Drawing blood - Axonology
A complete guide to all the incredible shapes that red blood cells can adopt and why they are medically relevant.
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
With spookily good timing this year my lecture on red blood cells - and them being eaten by the vampire macrophages in the spleen - falls on Halloween! 🎃 #blood #MedEd #SciArt 🧪 #EduSky
Cartoon of a spleen macrophage as a vampire
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Swan & O'Ligo organic myelin. Ranvier compatible. Central or peripheral delivery. The finest in sartorial saltation. #glia #SciArt #neuroscience #neuroSkyence 🧪 axonology.com/glia/
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
The world's No. 1 Brain Juice. Now available in a can. axonology.com/glia/ #SciArt 🧪 #glia #neuroscience #neuroSkyence
Cartoon of can of brain juice advertising poster
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
New from epenDymal labs - DYMAL Brain Juice! For all your brain hydration and nutrition needs!! axonology.com/glia/ #SciArt 🧪 #neuroSkyence #neuroscience #glia
Cartoon ependymal cell
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
My 'Drawing Blood' series of artwork is now featured on The Blood Project! 🩸 There's even reflective Qs to consider after viewing them. It's brilliant to be collaborating on this: www.thebloodproject.com/red-blood-ce... #SciArt #SciComm 🧪 #eduSky
thebloodproject.com
Red Blood Cells and Granulocytes • The Blood Project
"The Granulocytes" Consider the following after viewing the artwork: How does the artistic representation of blood cells and granulocytes influence your
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Boosting the learning from Wordotomy by adding augmented reality!! I sculpted the RBC in #blender and used Halo AR for visualisation. Really excited by the potential! 🤓 Going to be a job making models for the whole pack tho!🥴😂 #AR #3D #eduSky 🧪 #sciArt #blood
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Interested in #outreach? Want to use #games to make it more effective but don't know where to start? Help is at hand with our new paper! The underexplored opportunity of gamifying outreach, using #anatomy as an example with @mikaelastiver.bsky.social Open access: doi.org/10.1002/ase.... #EduSky 🧪
doi.org
Gamifying anatomy outreach: An underexplored opportunity
This article explores the underutilized potential of incorporating gamified approaches into anatomy outreach initiatives. While gamification and game-based learning approaches have been widely adopte....
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
I've co-opted two of my favourite artists personified as cone cells to illustrate how we perceive colour and thus many great works of art. axonology.com/cartoon/cones/ #SciArt #neuroscience #neuroSkyence 🧪
Cartoon of photoreceptor cone cells, a cyan one resembling Salvador Dali and a red one resembling Vincent Van Gogh, both responding to a magenta drawing of them.
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Introducing our new MSc Global Health 🌍💻 ✅ 100% online & flexible ✅ Designed for global professionals ✅ Innovative learning approach ✅ Full-time or part-time ✅ Join a worldwide network Shape the future of #globalhealth learn more & apply today: www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/post... #EduSky
plymouth.ac.uk
MSc Global Health
MSc Global Health (distance). This programme will empower you to confidently meet the clinical and logistical challenges of working in complex and...
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Reposted by John Chilton
Biochemical Society @biochemsoc.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
We’re excited to join the Bluesky community! If you’re part of the molecular biosciences, follow us for updates on all our activities from across the Society and Portland Press. We will be posting about upcoming events, webinars, grants, published articles, and more.
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Struggling to get going on those dark January mornings? - thank your rod photoreceptors for picking out the photons in the gloom! axonology.com/cartoon/rods/ #neuroSky #neuroscience #SciArt 🧪
Cartoon of retinal photoreceptor rod cells looking for photons
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Happy new year folks! I've made some more free vector art at scidraw.io hope these help with your fresh presentations and figures 🤓 #SciArt #immunosky #immunology #microbiology 🧪
Diagram titled granulocytes, showing vector art images of a neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil and mast cell
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
Made a table for axonology jr for Christmas. 52 sea creatures based on old engravings lovingly pyrographed on before being lacquered 🐙🦑🐟🐠🐡
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Arrived at work to find my insulin receptor model has been turned into a festive decoration for the daily timetable! 😅🎄 #eduSky 🧪
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Get up for the swim stay for the sunrise. As the old saying goes 'Red in the morning, shepherd's warning of Storm Darragh approaching...' 💨
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Gently poke fun at your nearest and dearest cardiologist with this handy anatomical illustration 💓 Soften the blow by gifting it to them on some smart merch now added to my 'Drawing Blood' collection www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/1668... #SciArt #medSky 🧪
Vintage style illustration of the torso emphasising the cardiac anatomy titled Anatomy for Cardiologists
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Petra Mocellin @petramoce.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Help #neurosky #neuroskyence Are you (or do you know) someone studying the transcription factor Ascl4/Mash4? 🧠 #neurodevelopment #differentiation #neurons #wiring N.b. This is not the same as the acyl CoA synthetase protein ASCL4 I have some questions 💡 Please share! 🙏
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
I've just added this brain (dorsal view) for free download from scidraw.io a fantastic library of *free* vector art of all things scientific. Exactly what you needed for that important figure/presentation/tattoo... #eduSky #SciArt #neuroSky 🧪
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Can't decide which is your favourite granulocyte? Don't worry we've all been there. Problem solved - now you can have all 4 on the same design! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/1666... #immunoSky #microSky #SciArt 🧪 #immunology #microbiology
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Scheiffele Lab @scheiffelelab.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Looking forward to AXON2025 - mark your calendars
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Ana Kozomara-Lund @ananeurogeek.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Oldie But Goldie: Don’t you just love little #neurobollocks from time to time? 🧠🤯😭 A funny blog post about a serious problem in #psychotherapy #NeuroTherapy #TherapistSky #neuroscience #NeuroCounseling #mentalhealth www.neuroscienceandpsychotherapy.com/post/neuro-b...
neuroscienceandpsychotherapy.com
Neuro Bollocks(And Psychotherapy)
What is it about humans and the prefix 'neuro-'? What makes us so susceptible to suspending our disbelief in its presence? And why, as thera
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Some of my designs are available as one-off pyrographed handmade chopping boards. No chance to digitally retouch these if I slip! Here's the pyramidal neuron www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1... (*lime not included) #neuroSky #neuroscience #SciArt 🧪
Wooden chopping board pyrograph etched with a cartoon pyramidal neuron, a lime and a knife next to the original cartoon of a pyramidal neuron shown as an ancient Egyptian pharaoh
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Shane Liddelow @liddelowsa.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
go.bsky.app/Lyzro3M !WELCOME! thought we might need a starter pack for all those coming over from the birdhouse - here's a GliaSky list. apologies for missing many of you - please do reply to get added and remember to repost so the newbies can find us!
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
The eagle eyed might have spotted this in the back of Mike R O'Glia's barbershop in my recent post 'Synaptic Pruning' 👀 Now you can get your own copy from my RedBubble store www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/1662... #SciArt 🧪 #neuroskyence #immunoSky
Poster for a microglial barber shop
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 01/11/2024
Taking a break from the serious side of the job on Friday afternoon to put together the cover of the School newsletter (the DLE is our loveably byzantine digital learning environment) #edusky #sciart #meded
A spoof movie poster for the cover of a medical school newsletter showing a zombie appendix comig out of a graveyard
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 15/10/2024
Finally finished this #wip from #SciArtSeptember the latest in my series of glial jobs - 'Synaptic Pruning' by Mike R O'Glia brain barber. #neuroSkyence #SciArt 🧪 #immunoSky
Cartoon of a microglia barber pruning the dendrites from a neuron
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 03/10/2024
When I'm not doing #SciArt one of my other loves is #swimming you can see my aquatic designs here www.drawntothesea.com/inthepool.html
drawntothesea.com
Drawn to the Sea Design
Original cartoons and designs from brain waves to beach waves, inspired by science and swimming. Available on a wide range of clothing, stationery, soft furnishings, mugs and accessories.
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 01/10/2024
A day late #epilogue for #SciArtSeptember the granulocyte I didn't find a prompt for (but was my favourite to draw) - the mast cell! #SciArt 🧪 #immunoSky #microSky
Cartoon mast cell being bitten by a mosquito and degranulating #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 29/09/2024
There is something #motherly about this megakaryocyte launching baby platelets into the bloodstream #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #immunoSky 🧪
Cartoon megakaryocyte #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 26/09/2024
These Pooh and Piglet neurons are #lost without ROBO receptors. More about the wonders of axon guidance: axonology.com/how-to-build... #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #neuroskyence 🧪
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet neurons walking in circles #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 25/09/2024
This #SciArtSeptember pic looking like the #underworld is taken from a series following a grub's journey through a Z-lister. I use these teaching digestion in a session called 'I'm IN a celebrity get me out of here!' See the slides here axonology.com/digestion-an... #SciArt #EduSky 🧪 #AcademicSky
Cartoon explaining digestion in the stomach showing a grub hanging above the gastric acid #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 24/09/2024
The first #wip I've posted this #SciArtSeptember. This is Mike R. O'Glia, brain barber. I'm putting off drawing the #mirror #SciArt #neuroskyence 🧪
Cartoon microglia dressed as a barber cutting the dendrites of a neuron #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 22/09/2024
Alveolar macrophages are #hidden away deep inside our lungs, cleaning up all the tiny bits of crap we breathe in. #SciArtSeptember #SciArt 🧪
Cartoon alveolar macrophage vacuuming inside a lung #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 21/09/2024
The #illuminated inventor neuron from day 8 having a spot of bother with an #enchanted hand! 'That's not my hand!' - part of our Braingineering outreach activities axonology.com/braingineeri... #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #neuroskyence #EduSky 🧪
Cartoon neuron being attacked by a disembodied hand #SciArtSeptember
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Reposted by John Chilton
James Edwards @jedwards3.bsky.social · 18/08/2024
Our latest work is out in preprint in Access Microbiology www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...
microbiologyresearch.org
Beyond Lectures: Leveraging Competition, Peer Discussion, and Real-World Scenarios in a Digital Card Game to Enhance Learning of Microbiology and Immunology Concepts
Teaching the complex interactions between hosts and pathogens is a fundamental yet educationally challenging aspect of life science and healthcare education. The intricate mechanisms of the immune sys...
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 19/09/2024
The #royal roots of the #cursed apoptotic neuron from #SciArtSeptember day 4!! Find out more about pyramidal neurons here: axonology.com/cartoon/brai... #neuroskyence #SciArt 🧪
Cartoon pyramidal neuron drawn as an ancient Egyptian pharaoh #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 19/09/2024
When I first glanced at this in my feed I thought "An axon!!" 🤓😆 Reminds me of an imaging network years ago where those of us segmenting images of galaxies, fungal hyphae and axons essentially had a common challenge #neuroskyence 🧪🧠
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 16/09/2024
Axotomy with a #sword is not a standard lab procedure... 🥷 Read about the inspiration for this design: axonology.com/cartoon/axot... #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #neuroskyence 🧪
Ninja neuron slicing a brain with katanas #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 15/09/2024
An eosinophil battling with a #beastly parasite #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #microbiology #immunology 🧪
Cartoon eosinophil battling a parasite #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 15/09/2024
New term starts tomorrow so went for a relaxing swim yesterday evening. I love Devon 😍 #AcademicSky
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 14/09/2024
e-Coli a #futurist microbe for #SciArtSeptember and some vector art this time. Find out more about lab bacteria axonology.com/cartoon/micr... #SciArt 🧪 #microbiology
Futuristic E.coli bacterium #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 13/09/2024
Finally caught up with what day of the month it is(!!) so back on track with #SciArtSeptember and an #electrified connection between two neurons axonology.com/cartoon/brai... #SciArt #neuroskyence 🧪
Animated cartoon of one neuron giving an electric shock to another neuron #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 12/09/2024
Just realised I've been a day out with #SciArtSeptember 🤨 here's the #scavenger I missed...a neutrophil tucking into bacteria. Had fun drawing this one 😁 #SciArt 🧪 #microbiology #immunology
Cartoon neutrophil
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 10/09/2024
Astrocytes are #stellar by definition! They are a crucial component of neuronal synapses and way more than just a scaffold. Read the story behind this artwork: axonology.com/cartoon/astr... #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #neuroskyence 🧪 🧠
Cartoon astrocyte mechanic welding neuronal synapses in a workshop #SciArtSeptember
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Eliza_coli @eliza-coli.bsky.social · 10/09/2024
A new pathogen portrait: Serratia marcescens... which is opportunistic and likes to hang out in hospitals. Find out more about Serratia here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serrati... I'm looking for friendlier microbes to draw from time to time too - do let me know if any occur to you! 🐡🧪🔬
Cartoon of a rod shaped bacterium, wearing a spotty shower cap, holding a towel. Flagella are falling out of the shower cap and its expression is one of tired watchful waiting. The writing spells the bacterium's name, Serratia marcescens. The background is light, with mottled pink and blue abstract textures.
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 09/09/2024
Brain progenitor. The #origin of a neuron. Without nerves no-one can hear you scream. For #SciArtSeptember and coincides nicely with Alien: Romulus Check out the merch www.drawntothesea.com/stemCell.html #SciArt #neuroskyence 🧪
Cartoon of a neuronal progenitor cell in the style of the Alien films #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 08/09/2024
I use this #illuminated inventor neuron character a lot in my brain development teaching and outreach. Find out how to build a brain here axonology.com/how-to-build... #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #devbiol #neuroskyence 🧪🧠
Cartoon of an inventor neuron building a brain #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
This osteoclast is #devouring a bone. Sounds nasty but find out why it's important for good health here axonology.com/cartoon/cell... #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #macrophage
Cartoon osteoclast eating a bone #SciArtSeptember
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John Chilton @axonology.bsky.social · 04/09/2024
This pyramidal neuron has been #cursed and is undergoing apoptosis although it seems the process is not complete! 😱🧟 #SciArtSeptember #SciArt #neuroskyence 🧪
Cartoon of a pyramidal neuron drawn as an Egyptian mummy #SciArtSeptember
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