Riboglow probes undergo fluorescence turn-on when bound to specific RNA sequences (in green). The chemical linkers of these probes can be varied to modulate fluorescence properties, enabling strategic linker design to enhance RNA detection with the Riboglow-FLIM platform. These findings underline the importance of rational probe design and demonstrate the sensitivity of fluorescence to subtle differences in linker chemical structure.
This publication stems from a long-standing collaboration with Dr. Van Dyke at Fairfield University, a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI). Undergraduate students from his lab are co-authors on the paper, along with Georgetown undergraduate Giulia Chitu. The work also benefited from frequent and productive discussions within the ISM community, as highlighted in the acknowledgements, underscoring the collaborative environment that helped drive the project forward.
Credit: Luke Shafik
Read more: HERE
Welcoming Dr. Priyanka Joshi to the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology
February 11th, 2026
ISM is pleased to welcome Dr. Priyanka Joshi as a new Institute member. Dr. Joshi is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology at Georgetown University Medical Center, where she directs the Laboratory of Biomolecular Homeostasis and Resilience.…
Uric Acid Microspheres: Unexpected Architecture in Reptile Waste Reveals New Soft Matter Insights
December 10th, 2025
A newly published study led by ISM member Prof. Jennifer Swift and collaborators, “Uric Acid Monohydrate Nanocrystals: An Adaptable Platform for Nitrogen and Salt Management in Reptiles,” explores the surprising nanostructure of uric acid waste produced by ball pythons.…
Professor Blair elected APS Fellow
October 27th, 2025
Professor Dan Blair, Director of Graduate Studies, has been named Fellow of the American Physical Society, for the Division of Soft Matter Physics. Read more in the College story here.…
Inside ISM’s Shared Soft Matter Facility at Georgetown University
October 8th, 2025
The Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISMSM) at Georgetown University is home to two state-of-the-art shared facilities designed to advance discovery in soft matter research. By opening these labs to academic collaborators, industry partners, and Georgetown scientists, ISMSM provides the tools, expertise, and collaborative environment needed to tackle challenges in materials science, physics, chemistry, and beyond.…
Ascorbic Acid Improves the Mechanical Properties of Collagen-Based Matrix
October 3rd, 2025
A new study led by Micaila Curtis in collaboration with Dr. Xinran Zhang and the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISMSM) amongst others, titled “Ascorbic Acid Improves the Mechanical Properties of Collagen-Based Matrix” and published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, reveals how Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) enhances the structure and mechanical integrity of collagen matrices—even in the absence of cells.…
ISM Day 2025 Brings Together Researchers Across Disciplines
September 26th, 2025
The Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISM) hosted ISM Day 2025 last week on Georgetown University’s Main Campus, bringing together scientists from across disciplines to share their work and spark new collaborations.…
Leah Chen: From Physics to Public Health, Bridging Science and Global Health at Georgetown
September 9th, 2025
When Leah Chen (C’25) first arrived at Georgetown, she wasted no time jumping into research. “First or second week of freshman year, I was emailing the head of the physics department about research opportunities, and then immediately got involved in the Van Keuren lab,” she recalled.…
Toretsky Named Inaugural Hyundai Hope on Wheels Endowed Chair in Pediatric Oncology
September 8th, 2025
(September 7, 2025) — In honor of his dedication to pediatric cancer research, Jeffrey A. Toretsky, MD, professor of oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, was formally named the…
