The Wellcome Trust has released the winners of its annual image awards, and they’re as beautiful as they are scientifically fascinating.

The awards have a strong focus on images from medical, clinical, or biological research. In fact, many of the images come straight from real pioneering investigations – from studies on stem cells and early stroke detection, to work on the Ebola virus and Toxoplasmosis-causing parasites.

Winners were decided by a panel of judges from a range of backgrounds, including medical correspondents, picture editors, and scientists. In a statement, Fergus Walsh – one of the judges and the BBC’s Medical Correspondent – said: “The Wellcome Image Awards consistently uncover a stunning range of images that not only capture the imagination but help bring complex concepts to life. From otherworldly pictures to intricate close-ups, these spectacular images draw you in and tell important stories about medical research today.”

This year’s winners will be exhibited from March 16, at numerous museums, galleries, and science centers around the world. You can find the full list of venues here. If you don’t manage to catch the exhibitions, you can view all of this year's winners here, and check out a selection of the winners below, with their official captions. 

^{"A close-up of the head of a swallowtail butterfly. Butterflies have two big round eyes for seeing quick movements and two antennae for smelling. They also have a long feeding tube, which is curled up like a spring here, but it unrolls so the butterfly can use it like a straw to drink nectar from flowers. This picture is 5mm wide." Macroscopic Solutions}