Beautiful, strange and occasionally alarming pictures from the shortlist for this year’s Wellcome image awards – which celebrate the very best in science photography and imaging – from an x-ray of a bat to a micrograph of a kidney stone. The exhibition opens on 12 March at three science centres and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. Photo: Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an Arabidopsis thaliana flower, also commonly known as thale cress. Some of the anthers are open, revealing pollen grains ready for dispersal. Arabidopsis was the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced and is widely used as a model organism in molecular and plant biology. Horizontal width of image is 1200 microns. Magnification 100x. (Photo by Stefan Eberhard/Wellcome Images)

Models pose backstage at the Celia Kritharioti Spring/Summer 2012 fashion show at One Mayfair on March 20, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images For Celia Kritharioti)

A model walks down the runway during the Odd Molly Autumn/Winter 2012 Fashion Show at Berns on February 1, 2012 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

American singer Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known professionally as Halsey shows off her Innovation Award in early March 2022. (Photo by iamhalsey/Instagram)

American actress and model Bella Thorne shows off her wild manicure in the second decade of November 2022. (Photo by bellathorne/Instagram)

American actress Elizabeth Banks in the first decade of December 2023 shows off her lacy ensemble. (Photo by Elizabethbanks/Instagram)

American socialite Kylie Jenner shows off her summer bikini style with friends in the second decade of June 2024. (Photo by kyliejenner/Instagram)

American rapper Megan Thee Stallion shows off her cow-inspired manicure in the last decade of July 2024. (Photo by theestallion/Instagram)