Gianni Jacucci

Thanks! We are indeed trying to understand better these points by doing dynamic illuminations and in future 3D experiments as well.

How do phototactic microorganisms navigate structured light fields? 🦠🔬

We show that their motion depends on both the light gradient and a memory of illumination. By exploiting this, we can guide and confine microalgae using tailored light patterns.

@comedialkb.bsky.social

arxiv.org/pdf/2601.07741

What happens when interactions in an optical spin-glass simulator are no longer global?

In a new work, we show that by controlling light propagation through a complex medium, you can adjust how far each spin effectively “feels” the others.
@comedialkb.bsky.social

journals.aps.org/pra/abstract...

Looking forward to returning to INT-CHA in April, this time as a speaker. I joined a previous edition and really enjoyed it: the mix of disciplines, and the relaxed format made it very easy to connect to people.

And of course, having it all take place in Corsica is pretty amazing. 🌞

The call is now officially open, with a deadline at the end of July! ⏳

If you are interested in applying, don’t hesitate to contact me. 🔬🦠

Thanks for all the amazing discussions and looking forward to coming back visiting soon!

🦠🔬 PhD positions available 🔬🦠

If you’re curious about light–matter interactions and collective behaviour in living systems, check out the attachment for more details.

📝 The official call will be published soon, but informal expressions of interest are already welcome!

Check out my interview on TGR Leonardo—the Italian science news program—about the research that I'll be starting at the Università della Calabria (subtitles generated with AI). ☀️

🔬more about my research and the project:
www.giannijacucci.com

Introducing the Inaugural Early Career Board Members in ACS Applied Optical Materials

Happy to be on board as an editor for ACS Applied Optical Materials. Curious to see where the light–matter journey takes us next in the world of materials science.

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

I’m going to miss you all, but now you’ve got another place to visit on the map! 🌞🌊

grazie, I couldn’t have done it without all your advice!

The biggest grazie goes to my mentors, @vignolinilab.bsky.social & @sylvaingigan.bsky.social, whose inspiration will continue to drive my work. ❤️

It was 2016 when I left my alma mater (University of Calabria). In 2025 I will be back to start my group! 🔬🦠🔆

If you want to know more about the project:
www.giannijacucci.com/news/
I will post soon openings for PhDs and postdoc positions, feel free to contact me ahead if interested!

Presented at the Enrico Fermi Research Center (www.cref.it) in Via Panisperna—thanks to Romolo Savo (www.cref.it/en/personale-di-ricerca/romolo-savo-2/) for the invite!

Still not over giving my talk under a banner that read “The Scientific Legacy of Enrico Fermi”. Undeserved? Slightly. 🥹😂

Many Congratulations to Louis Delloye for his thesis defence .....

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@comedialkb.bsky.social @sylvaingigan.bsky.social @giannijacca.bsky.social @feixia.bsky.social

@jacopobertolotti.com congrats for making it in both kits! 🏆

Thanks, you made my day! 🐉

Scientist types as #DnD classes:

Fighter: The best way to approach any problem is to do an experiment first and ask questions later (assuming there is any question left to ask). Very high volume of fire, but needs a constant stream of money to pay for fancier and fancier equipment.

1/

The perks of when @comedialkb.bsky.social (@sylvaingigan.bsky.social @hiltondeaguiar.bsky.social ) organise a meeting. 🌆

There you go, the full story by @manuelthery.bsky.social and remember "life is fluid on lipids"!
Stay tuned, this system has many more surprises ready for you! 🤗🤗🤗
🙏🙏 thx to @lblanchoin.bsky.social @bhagyanaths.bsky.social and to afaik Bsky-less clo, sudipta, JF, alex and jerem!

just did: bsky.app/profile/gian... 😜

I hope you enjoyed the (short) ride. A gigantic thanks goes to @sylvaingigan.bsky.social (and all the others that are not yet on 🦋) who supported me in exploring something new.

Don't forget to check the paper out! 🧾

If you now take many active colloids, they are likely to meet in the ‘shadows’. But wait, there is no space for everyone!

Therefore, compared to a scenario with homogeneous lighting (where light is consistent and not too intense everywhere), smaller but more stable groups form.

And, surprise surprise, they do! You can see from this video that an active colloid moves in a hologram, following the dark regions between light spots. 💡

It's a bit like when you move from one beach umbrella to another to avoid getting sunburnt. ⛱️

Taking inspiration from sci-fi movies (well, sort of), we thought of using light to create holographic “cities” in which the colloids can navigate.
But will the colloids perceive these holograms as real?

credits: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktEQ...

What better way to start this journey on 🦋 than sharing our latest work?

We studied how a complex environment influences the formation of groups in active colloids. How did we do it?
Follow the short thread below and/or just check:
www.nature.com/articles/s42...

@sylvaingigan.bsky.social

Very useful, can I join as well?

Me! 🥹