Explaining Muscle Ageing in a Biotechnology Cartoon
What the university research focused on
The project, led by Professor Arimantas Lionikas, aimed to explain what happens to our muscles as we grow older. Daily activities like standing up or walking become harder with age—but why? The biotechnology cartoon dives into how motor neurons and two types of muscle fibers (slow- and fast-twitch) work together to generate movement.
Why the University of Aberdeen needed a video
The research team wanted to communicate this concept not only to other scientists but also to students, funding bodies, and the general public. They needed a biotechnology cartoon that could present this muscle ageing mechanism visually and clearly, in under two minutes.
How we crafted the biotechnology cartoon for the University of Aberdeen
Writing a clear, educational script
We kept the script tight and easy to follow. Starting from everyday observations—“Why does it get harder to get up from a chair as we age?”—we guided the viewer through the biological processes behind ageing muscle. We ended with a hopeful message: strength training can help maintain muscle function at any age.
Visualizing muscle function and ageing
The animation uses a clean 2D flat vector style. We created metaphors for motor neurons “recruiting” fibers, visual contrasts between healthy and ageing muscles, and engaging motion to show declining force generation over time. Color coding and simplified anatomy made even micro-level processes easy to grasp.
How the video is used
The final biotechnology cartoon has been shared within the University of Aberdeen and on professional platforms. It supports teaching, outreach, and grant proposals—showcasing science in a fresh, accessible way.
Scene from our biotechnology cartoon for the University of Aberdeen showing how ageing affects muscle strength during daily activities.
Behind the Scenes: How We Brought the Vision to Life
Student involvement sparked the title
One unique part of this project was how Prof. Lionikas involved his students in suggesting titles. Together, we landed on “Ageing Muscle: Use It or Lose It” – catchy, accurate, and memorable.
Real-world disruptions met with flexibility
Production faced a real-life challenge: our creative director had to rush her son to the hospital. We were transparent about the delay, kept communication flowing, and still delivered on time. Clients like Prof. Lionikas appreciated the personal, reliable way we managed the situation.
Budget discussions in a volatile time
With rising production costs due to inflation and the war in Ukraine, we openly discussed pricing and offered flexible solutions. We believe honesty and adaptability are key to long-term partnerships.
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