Clown/comedian/filmmaker Pierre Etaix attends The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' Presents “Pierre Etaix: The Laughter Returns” at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on November 16, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Harry Sprinkle eats a meal at St. John's Bread and Life, a free meal service, on December 23, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. St. John's Bread and Life serves approximately 2,200 meals per day; the organization has existed since 1982. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

“Microscope images forge an extraordinary bond between science and art, said Hidenao Tsuchiya, Olympus America's Vice President and General Manager for the Scientific Equipment Group. We founded this competition to focus on the fascinating stories coming out of today's life science research laboratories. The thousands of images that people have shared with the competition over the years reflect some of the most exciting work going on in research today – work that can help shed light on the living universe and ultimately save lives. We look at BioScapes and these beautiful images as sources of education and inspiration to us and the world”. – OlympusBioScapes

Photo: Pretarsus of the third leg of a female drone fly (Eristalis tenax), ventral view, by Dr. Jan Michels, Institute of Zoology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany. (Photo by Olympus BioScapes)

Models Felicia Verna and Crystal Boyd wearing Stacey Angela during the Fallen Hearts Fashion Experience at Symphony Space on May 31, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

A model showcases designs by Metias as part of the LMFF Offsite Runway 1 show on day six of the 2011 L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at Peninsula Central Pier Docklands on March 19, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

(L-R) Ozzy Osbourne and son, producer Jack Osbourne visit the Tribeca Film Festival 2011 portrait studio on April 25, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

Beyonce Knowles performs at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2011 in Glastonbury, England. The festival, which started in 1970 when several hundred hippies paid 1 GBP to watch Marc Bolan, has grown into Europe's largest music festival attracting more than 175,000 people over five days. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch Winehouse (C) mother Janis Winehouse (L in white) brother Alex Winehouse (R) and former boyfriend Reg Traviss (2nd R) look at floral tributes left at her house by fans on July 25, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)