NIH BioArt source: A new destination for medical illustrations

Dear Editor,

Biomedical illustrations are an integral part of manuscripts. Their ability to offer a wealth of information in a limited space adds to their value. Furthermore, eye-catching illustrations are likely to enhance reader interest while boosting the reading experience. This is one of the probable reasons behind the upsurge of graphical abstracts being embraced by many journals.^[1,2]

We have previously described a list of repositories of images which are available under commercial as well as open-source licensing for creating illustrations for manuscripts.^[3] Recently, we came across NIH BioArt Source®, a collection of more than 2000 illustrations. The resource is available on the following link: https://bioart.niaid.nih.gov/. This collection has been developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The source was released to the public on 7^th October 2024 and has undergone an update on 5^th November 2024. New content will be added to this resource over time.

The resource encompasses multiple entries well-organised under relevant sections such as anatomy, cells and organelles, equipment and molecules. Each entry contains a unique reference number (e.g. BIOART-000560), a brief description of the artwork and different file formats available for download. There is also a link to an embedded QR code, which can enable users to share the link to the entry and download it on their mobile devices.

There are multiple advantages of accessing and using this resource. The illustrations have been created by professional medical artists and provide a realistic representation of the phenomenon and objects covered therein. In addition, the content is free to use for education, research, and commercial use. The usage policy is divided into two categories – ‘Public domain’, wherein a citation is appreciated but not mandatory. The other category covers items that are available under Creative Commons or similar licenses and require citation. The citation styles are covered under the ‘Frequently asked questions (FAQs)’ section of the web portal (https://bioart.niaid.nih.gov/faqs). Another added advantage is the availability of content in multiple formats such as PNG, EPS, Adobe Illustrator® (.ai) and scalable vector graphics. This will allow usage on different platforms and scalability without affecting image quality.

We believe this resource will be highly beneficial to researchers looking to create high-quality illustrations for their publications. The license to use this resource without any financial commitment, even for commercial use, will alleviate worries regarding additional financial burden. With the continued addition of new images, this resource should develop as a comprehensive destination for accurate medical illustrations.