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Spring 2022

CHEM 6360.10 Chemical Biology & Biochemistry with Imaging Techniques (3 Credits)

Monday & Wednesday 2:20 - 3:35 pm

Fall 2021

CHEM4123 Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Instrument Suite: Fluorometer, UV/Vis, FTIR, Raman Spectrometer, ICP-MS with autosampler, GC-MS with autosampler, HPLC with autosampler, Polarimeter, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, and NMR.

SEH 3490 Classroom. (More pictures below.)

SEH 3750 Classroom

CHEM4123

Lab #1 Solvatochromism & Viscosity Effects on Dyes

Fluorometer & UV/Vis

Left to Right: Malachite Green, Anthracene, & Sulforhodamine B

Fluorescence visualized with UV light.

Sulforhodamine B excited with UV LED light source.

Lab #2 Collisional & Permanent Quenching of Anthracene

Fluorometer with NanoLED attachment & UV/Vis

Anthracene

Fluorescence lifetime measurement of anthracene on the nanosecond time scale!

Lab #3 Caffeine Concentration in Beverages & Pills

HPLC & NMR

         GC-MS

Biodiesel synthesized from Olive and Corn Oil

Aldehydes found in cooking oil after heating, which is known in the literature!

Forensic detection of cocaine and methamphetamine on $1 bills in circulation in Washington, DC!

Lab #5 Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis & Size Characterization

Dynamic Light Scattering & Light/Fluorescence Microscopy

Silver Nanoparticles. From 10-10,000 nm in diameter!

Silver Nanoparticles under Transmitted Light.

Images of Fixed Slides

  Fly Wing (Transmitted Light)

Feather Dyed Red (Fluorescence)

Loose Connective Tissue (Fluorescence)

Plant Seed (Transmitted Light)

Plant Cell Walls (Fluorescence)

Silverberry (Fluorescence)

Mouse Embryo (Fluorescence)

Mouse Cerebellum (Fluorescence)

Artwork

The students paint with fluorescent dyes used in the lab or UV active body paint when they have completed their work and are waiting for instruments. Students also paint during office hours.

Used pH paper in the Biodiesel synthesis.

Painting With E. Coli Expressing Fluorescent Proteins

by. Erik Rodriguez

#FluorescenceFriday Collaboration with C&EN News

Happy #InternationalCatDay! 😻E. coli expressing mTangerine were painted as a cat. 🧬🦠🧫🐈#SciArt #Bacteria #Microbiology #AgarArt #SciComm pic.twitter.com/ECrxE6SpJT

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 8, 2020

Are you ready for #SharkWeek? E. coli expressing EGFP (green) & small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein, smURFP, (gray). Painted by #GWU undergraduate Justin Hachey. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! 🧬🦠🧫🦈#SciArt #Bacteria #Microbiology #AgarArt #SciComm pic.twitter.com/t58XM4qPIb

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 7, 2020

The downward spiral. Fluorescein allows for flow visualization of stirring with a stir bar. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/6igc9lfOcf

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 31, 2020

Slow Shutter App for iPhone is amazing for taking light trail images! These are 4 sec exposures. pic.twitter.com/PGJTEewVvs

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 30, 2020

The golden hour looks even better with fluorescence! 🌇🌱Tradescantia pallida, or purple heart / purple queen, with fluorescein in water. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/1K6FQ0O7MC

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 24, 2020

Happy World Emoji Day! My favorite emoji:😜. Painted with E. coli expressing Venus (white eye), mCherry (tongue), & mNeptune (outlines). 🧬🦠🧫🖌️🎨Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #Bacteria #Microbiology #AgarArt #SciComm #EmojiArt #WorldEmojiDay #WorldEmojiDay2020 pic.twitter.com/vab22qWtl3

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 17, 2020

Here is an impromptu laser light show to "She blinded me with science!". Purple UV laser excites fluorescein to fluoresce green. Sound on! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! ☄️🎶🎵🔊 pic.twitter.com/khvCdUofpY

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 17, 2020

Bacteria aggregate (d = 1,000 um) in Potomac River water. Nuclei stained fluorescent red. There are ~1,600 bacteria in this aggregate! Aggregates allow bacteria to survive chemical, physical, & biological stress. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #Microscope #Science #Microbiology 🦠🔬 pic.twitter.com/Z4UqlvdhYQ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 10, 2020

🎇🧨🎆Waterworks for 4th of July!🎆🧨🎇Fluorescein in water & rhodamine-B in isopropanol dropped into water. An amazing way to visualize diffusion! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #SciComm #STEMoutreach #RealTimeChem #Chemistry #4thofjuly #4thofJuly2020 pic.twitter.com/TudD6HQK8R

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 3, 2020

Three of my entries were selected as National Winners for the 2019 Wiki Science Competition USA! These three submissions were part of the 36 USA finalists from 1,144 submissions!
01 Non-photographic media - Fluorescent coral moviehttps://t.co/yhCXpfuD2o pic.twitter.com/27yDN5Mszo

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 29, 2020

Three of my entries were selected as National Winners for the 2019 Wiki Science Competition USA! These three submissions were part of the 36 USA finalists from 1,144 submissions!
02 Image Sets - Polarization microscopy of black inkhttps://t.co/yhCXpfuD2o pic.twitter.com/NyHQ6tI3MQ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 29, 2020

Three of my entries were selected as National Winners for the 2019 Wiki Science Competition USA! These three submissions were part of the 36 USA finalists from 1,144 submissions!
03 Image Sets - Fluorescence microscopy of cellshttps://t.co/yhCXpfuD2o pic.twitter.com/70BGwXlOVo

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 28, 2020

A large, spherical bacteria aggregate (d = 1,000 um) in Potomac River water. Spherical aggregates from 100-50,000 um in diameter were visible. Aggregates allow bacteria to survive chemical, physical, & biological stress. 🦠🔬🚱#Microscope #Science #Microbiology pic.twitter.com/dhyV7qfTqw

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 28, 2020

Always have a shell in your pocket & sand in your shoes! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! 🐚🌊 pic.twitter.com/Spk1dUcTB9

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 26, 2020

I imaged Potomac River water and it is full of bacteria, diatoms, parmecium, & algae! In the movie, the large & fast moving parmecium relieves itself after 7 sec! A first time for everything! 🦠🔬#Microscope #Science #Microbiology pic.twitter.com/I6HMNtNbHB

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 24, 2020

Happy #PrideMonth! 🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈Table salt (NaCl) imaged with polarization microscopy & a Wollaston/Nomarski prism! #Pride #LoveIsLove #Scicomm #SciArt pic.twitter.com/EgTq76qMfP

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 23, 2020

🍸I like my martini sublimed, not stirred. Fluorescein & dry ice. Happy Birthday to me & #FluorescenceFriday! 🎉🥂🎂 pic.twitter.com/v94SfNlYwR

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 19, 2020

Happy #PrideMonth! 🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈Black ink imaged with polarization microscopy and a Wollaston/Nomarski prism! #Pride #LoveIsLove #BlackLivesMatter #Scicomm #SciArt pic.twitter.com/C4oNhXhvh7

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 16, 2020

Have you ever seen a nucleus jump into another cell & become multinucleated?
I have & now you have!
Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/x8PpyrfiHt

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 12, 2020

Happy #PrideMonth! 🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈The best month for my @ThermoFisher tie-dye rainbow lab coat & Aspire program pin! #IAspireTo #Pride #LoveIsLove #Scicomm #SciArt @christineliuart pic.twitter.com/7hGk5DHFvS

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 13, 2020

Smurfette painted with E. coli expressing EGFP (yellow) & small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (cyan). smURFP name inspired by purified protein color. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #Bacteria #Microbiology #AgarArt #SciComm 🧬🦠🧫🖌️🎨 #Smurfs #Smurfette #Smurf #smURFP pic.twitter.com/NmRoXcneir

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 29, 2020

🌷🌼🌸🌻April showers bring May flowers! 🌷🌼🌸🌻Flower painted with extra fluorescent dyes, fluorescein (yellow), sulforhodamine B (pink), & malachite green (green). Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #SciComm 🥽 🧪⚗️🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/3WMFdyvi5s

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 22, 2020

🌷🌼🌸🌻April showers bring May flowers! 🌷🌼🌸🌻Flowers painted with fluorescent paint, used for STEM outreach with children, by #GWU undergraduate Sarah Cachula. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #SciComm #STEMoutreach #YoungResearchers 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/kLoVhkdHhk

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 15, 2020

🌷🌼🌸🌻April showers bring May flowers! 🌷🌼🌸🌻Flowers painted with extra fluorescent dyes, fluorescein, sulforhodamine B, & malachite green, by #GWU undergraduate, Sarah Cachula. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #SciComm 🧪⚗️🥽 pic.twitter.com/87JBZ8hGva

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 8, 2020

Yoda appeared in our watch glass! Crystals of a biliverdin analog are highly fluorescent in the red when crystallized, but dark in solution. 🌟⚔️🚀👽 May the force be with you! 🌟⚔️🚀👽#Maythe4thBeWithYou #StarWars #Yoda #RealTimeChem #Scicomm #SciArt #FluorescenceFriday🌟⚔️🚀👽 pic.twitter.com/EvuVVhPFNE

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 3, 2020

🌷🌼🌸🌻April showers bring May flowers! 🌷🌼🌸🌻Flowers painted with E. coli expressing EGFP & mTangerine. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #Bacteria #Microbiology #AgarArt #SciComm 🧬🦠🧫 pic.twitter.com/GlRI9X8GCl

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 1, 2020

🧬 Happy #DNADay! The structure of DNA! 🧬
Bases: A is blue, T is yellow, G is green, & C is red.
This highlights the difference between the major & minor groove. Made with 1D65.pdb.
🧬 #DNADay20 #NationalDNADay #DNADay2020 🧬 pic.twitter.com/6LAxeT71rJ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 25, 2020

"The Eye of Sauron" painted with 🦠E. coli🦠 expressing mCherry & mCardinal fluorescent proteins. Inspired by how a PI is seen by a Postdoc in one of my favorite #Science comics. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciArt #Bacteria #Microbiology #AgarArt #SciComm 🧬🦠🧫 pic.twitter.com/s9PpgNK1u2

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 24, 2020

What is better than automatically imaging >300,000 cells in 42 min? The cells are automatically analyzed for chloroquine alteration. Our CellInsight CX5 High-Content Screening Platform is amazing! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/Le4c8C2Byp

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 10, 2020

Purification of fluorescent proteins. Fluorescence of monomeric Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (mEGFP) excited by UV light on LB agar plates. small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) & mEGFP with 6-Histidine-tag purified on a Nickel-NTA column. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/8Nr3YfGv9r

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 3, 2020

Lysing or permeabilizing E. coli before purifying fluorescent proteins. small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP, blue), smURFP lacking chromophore (tan), & monomeric Green Fluorescent Protein (mEGFP, yellow). pic.twitter.com/OlAmVvSASC

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 2, 2020

What a reveal! E. coli expressing the small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP). The smURFP is blue and the LB media is yellow, which causes the green color. Table cloth is used to avoid photobleaching by light. pic.twitter.com/mWl0ACbORb

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 2, 2020

The beauty of fluorescent proteins expressed in coral!
These amazing images by Tang GO (IG @thank_space). Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/KJKW9N3dFP

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 27, 2020

Fluorescent protein nanoparticles encapsulating small molecules. Synthesized by our undergraduates & published for non-invasive tumor imaging! Happy #FluorescenceFriday!https://t.co/5rLApDQiUp pic.twitter.com/DumfBHnKGK

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 20, 2020

My favorite green
is this fluorescein!
Happy #StPatricksDay & #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/jfQwTgaNDC

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 13, 2020

My collaborator sent me these fluorescent scorpions from The Evolution Store (@TheEvolutionNYC)! I have never seen the black scorpion with the amazing pattern! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/OtKByEUwWJ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 6, 2020

Congratulations to Jack Conlon & Justin Hachey, undergraduates Rodriguez Lab (#GWU), & collaborators, Ting Lab (Weill Cornell Medicine), on our paper describing fluorescent protein nanoparticles for non-invasive tumor imaging! Happy #FluorescenceFriday!https://t.co/5rLApDQiUp pic.twitter.com/qf0pcRVaMl

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) February 28, 2020

Labmade ferromagnetic fluid is more fun with fluorescent dyes (rhodamine B and fluorescein) and a UV laser! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/qPxL4VPTCJ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) February 21, 2020

You can keep your roses, I would rather have this fluorescent Chemist bouquet any day! Different concentrations of Rhodamine B in various solvents. Happy #ValentinesDay and #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/QoOaOOyWnj

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) February 14, 2020

Oh #ChemisTree, oh ChemisTree,
Your boughs can teach a #FluorescenceFriday lesson.

🎄 by @erin_rod_phd of @GWtweets pic.twitter.com/QG0XGY1SDP

— C&EN (@cenmag) December 20, 2019

A sustainable themed #ChemisTree! This ChemisTree is made with 100% recycled, reused, or repurposed chemicals from #FluorescenceFriday past & my lab class. The tree, paint, & vials were all found! Happy Holidays!#RealTimeChem #SciComm #SciArt #Science #Chemtwitter #DeckTheLab pic.twitter.com/T7MNNPfiVE

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 20, 2019

My cold is fluorescent at many wavelengths. Amazing amount of auto-fluorescence from the immune system fighting the cold. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/ZRPphKIt8V

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 13, 2019

Let it snow! Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) crystals look like snow! Crystals imaged with polarization microscopy. #SciArt #SciComm #Science #ChemTwitter pic.twitter.com/5d6YtTm5rp

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 6, 2019

Sodium chloride (NaCl) or table salt.
Can you believe something you eat everyday is so beautiful?
Human adults contain ~250 g of NaCl! #RealTimeElements #IYPT2019 #RealTimeChem #Chemistry #sciart #SciComm #Science #Chemtwitter @cenmag @RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/iTOdx9WPRg

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 14, 2019

Europium (Eu). This white powder is Eu oxide (Eu2O3) & fluoresces under UV. These pink fluffy clouds look like cotton candy, but you shouldn’t eat. Eu is on the Euro. #RealTimeElements #IYPT2019 #RealTimeChem #Chemistry #Sciart #SciComm @cenmag @RealTimeChem #FluorescenceFriday pic.twitter.com/Wzj1XgiuMP

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 15, 2019

Gold (Au) Shot 99.95+% pure. All that glitter is gold! My precious! #RealTimeElements #IYPT2019 #RealTimeChem #Chemistry @cenmag @RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/IpZWFtSDfd

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 14, 2019

Silver (Ag) Nanoparticles synthesized by students in Chemistry Laboratory. Color caused by surface plasmon resonance & changes with size. Left to right: AgNO3 (start), Ag NPs 6, 12, 30, & 100 nm.#RealTimeElements #IYPT2019 #RealTimeChem #Chemistry @cenmag @RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/OwdDWqEhv7

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 13, 2019

Happy Halloween! #JackSkellington, the Pumpkin King, painted with E. coli expressing the fluorescent protein, smURFP. #FluorescenceFriday #nightmarebeforechristmas #SciComm #microbiology #agarart #science #education #bacteria #sciart pic.twitter.com/HUDsZbZ2t7

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 1, 2019

Fluorescent pumpkin made from pipette tips filled with lucifer yellow, fluorescein, and rhodamine 101. Monochrome images were acquired for each fluorophore and pseudo colored. Happy #Halloween and #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/B2o85FPhDw

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 25, 2019

FrankenPumpkin is back! A flat bottom flask with a face, drawn by Jordan Tanen (@jordantanen). Chlorophyll extracted from Y. chlorella algae. Chlorophyll is green & gives plants color. Under UV light, chlorophyll fluoresces red! #FluorescenceFriday #Sciart #SciComm #Chemistry pic.twitter.com/HUdkUjFPGC

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 18, 2019

Polarization microscopy is beautiful! Images of NaCl (salt) crystals on an Olympus BX51 Microscope. pic.twitter.com/7D3qfVxdWc

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 15, 2019

Instrumental analytical chemistry laboratory is more interesting with fluorescence! Extracted chlorophyll (green) shows red fluorescence and food dyes in crushed pills are fluorescent yellow and pink when excited with UV light. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/GSioku24Q7

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 11, 2019

3D printed structure of Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRed) by my postdoc Felipe Montecinos (@fmontecinosfran)! The red chromophore is fluorescent, while the white beta barrel rigidizes & protects the chromophore. 1ZGO.pdb File from @hf_and_beyond. Happy #FluorescentFriday! pic.twitter.com/2HMHnDqxlj

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) September 20, 2019

Homemade, fluorescent rocks! Calcite (CaCO3) was heated to 150 ˚C for 10 min & incubated in room temperature fluorescein for 1 month. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/16ybBKG4iC

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) September 13, 2019

Fluorescein fluorescence (green) excited with UV laser pointer (purple) in a Pyrex water bath. Examples of light reflection, refraction, and splitting. I could do this all day! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/DCh3EdbJky

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) September 6, 2019

Moray eels fluoresce green due to non-covalent binding of bilirubin by a protein! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/gCdYUK603Q

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 30, 2019

For this #FluorescenceFriday I would like to honor the memory of Roger Y. Tsien, who passed away 3 years ago on August 24. His legacy lives on in all who use the myriad of probes he developed, including calcium sensors and fluorescent proteins, and the acetoxymethyl (AM) ester. pic.twitter.com/z8MW85TzNZ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 23, 2019

Demonstration of light penetration in cell-like environment. Purple excitation light has limited depth penetration due to absorption (green light), scatter, & reflection. 405 nm light penetrates human tissue ~0.1 mm. Bath with fluorescein & Au glitter. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/FmpWCT2ge2

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 16, 2019

Hermit crabs are fluorescent green! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/Njbp2H32GD

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 9, 2019

UV laser pointer exciting fluorescein in our water bath. I could do this all day! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/P1nDiUqoOo

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 2, 2019

Fluorescent coral I found at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium! Imaged with a UV Flashlight & an iPhone6. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/GC6wGA1uGB

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 25, 2019

Australian money has a hidden bird drawn with fluorescent ink! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/tePSqC0ugg

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 19, 2019

Demonstration of excitation light (purple, 405 nm) absorption, reemission by fluorescein (green, 525 nm), & scattering/reflection of light. These factors influence depth of penetration in animals. Fluorescein represents endogenous fluorescent molecules. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/3NjmpEuwD1

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 12, 2019

Bioluminescence of fireflies. The movie shows the mating ritual of the common “Big Dipper Firefly” or Photinus pyralis. Taken at a BBQ in Alexandria, VA. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/t3IMuAQuc5

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 5, 2019

Fluorescence of everyday objects. Soap (Palmolive, @CP_News) & detergents are often extremely fluorescent under UV light. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/8m3yiqkMWS

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 28, 2019

Always have a shell in your pocket & sand in your shoes! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/KUMjqskhAc

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 21, 2019

I like my Martini with dry ice & fluorescein. Cheers to another #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/t7XXGpti5B

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 14, 2019

Bioluminescence & fluorescence of a firefly. Movie shows bioluminescence of a firefly. The light-emitting organs are highly fluorescent with UV (405 nm) & blue light (488 nm) (below). White light shows the colorful firefly (below). Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/l489f2e2bs

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 7, 2019

Our water bath works in total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) mode! Water bath with fluorescein and excited with 405 nm laser pointer. Light is straight with still water. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #SciComm #sciart #stem #education pic.twitter.com/ciODfjIuFY

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 24, 2019

Our water bath works in total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) mode! Water bath with fluorescein and excited with 405 nm laser pointer. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/v0H4siLQau

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 17, 2019

Drops of fluorescein & rhodamine-B, in our water bath, played backwards. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #RealTimeChem #Scicomm #sciart #chemtwitter pic.twitter.com/NvBJNz7fbR

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 10, 2019

Yoda appeared in my watch glass! Crystals of a new synthetic biliverdin analog are highly fluorescent when crystallized, but dark in solution. #Maythe4thBeWithYou this #FluorescenceFriday! #StarWars #Yoda #RealTimeChem #Scicomm #sciart #CENchempics #chemtwitter pic.twitter.com/NwEj2l0CEA

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 3, 2019

Shark Attack! E. coli expressing EGFP (Green) & small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein, smURFP, (Gray). Painted by #GWU undergraduate Justin Hachey. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! 🦠 🧫 🦠#SciComm #microbiology #agarart #science #education #bacteria #sciart pic.twitter.com/9kAckb2onp

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 29, 2019

My favorite green is this fluorescein!
This is my four leaf clover!
These have always brought me luck!
Happy #StPatrick’sDay & #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/cbNzyh3vNh

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 15, 2019

New fluorescence student outreach, demonstration, & art area in the lab! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #scienceoutreach #STEMoutreach #YoungResearchers #SciComm #sciart #stem #education #volunteering #RealTimeChem #chemtwitter pic.twitter.com/oQ96DTM1l4

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 8, 2019

Color images of E. coli expressing the small ultra-red #fluorescentprotein, smURFP. smURFP fluorescence is red & bright-field shows cyan smURFP. These images took a lot of bacteria. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! #Cellfie #Cellfies pic.twitter.com/ytfFApgRDp

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 1, 2019

You can keep your roses, I would rather have this fluorescent, #chemistry bouquet any day! Rhodamine B in different solvents. Happy #ValentinesDay and #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/Y2mkWO3LaI

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) February 8, 2019

A close-up view of pink fluorescence of rocks excited with UV light with no filters. Most likely calcite, the pinkish-red fluorescence is probably due to Fe &/or Mn. Rocks were found in El Paso, Texas. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/1Lj7ZdneYv

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) February 1, 2019

Bacterial chemotaxis or movement in response to a chemical stimulus. Bacteria expressing the small ultra red fluorescent protein (smURFP) are fluorescently imaged to show movement. Bacteria are attracted to glucose & sucrose, but repelled by glycine. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/8syBs2N9de

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) January 25, 2019

Pink fluorescence of rocks excited with UV light. Most likely calcite, the pinkish-red fluorescence is probably due to Fe and/or Mn. Rocks were found by my mom and I on my vacation in Texas. Not bad for a $2 UV flashlight! Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/bD3lPpupzl

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) January 11, 2019

Who wouldn’t love these #BreakingBad inspired blue meth earrings, necklaces, and ornaments as gifts? My mom and I made these for the 10th Anniversary! #Chemistry crystallization training comes in handy. @BreakingBad_AMC #BrBa10 #SciComm #Sciart pic.twitter.com/QTvjVLEXnj

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 24, 2018

Happy Holidays & New Year! Holiday wreaths made by the Roger Y. Tsien Lab. Bacteria expressing fluorescent proteins or purified fluorescent proteins were used to create these wreaths. pic.twitter.com/FTk9cit5Wu

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 24, 2018

Orange-red fluorescence of amberina and manganese glass hen and elephant. The red color is made with colloidal gold and fluorescence is from manganese (1939 Proc Royal Soc London https://t.co/zIENAnxG3P). Elephant's feet are only fluorescent. Happy #FluorescenceFriday! pic.twitter.com/5DFui71EHi

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 21, 2018

“The winner of the most ‘chemified’ Christmas tree, where real trees are decorated with a chemistry theme, went to Erik Rodriguez, an assistant professor of chemistry at The George Washington University.”
Chemistry World article. https://t.co/JlntVbkIdo pic.twitter.com/dislOSZLF6

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 21, 2018

Fluorescent Periodic Table #Chemistree! Living tree dyed with strontium aluminate with europium & decorated with anthracene dyed thread, 118 elements (highlighter), & Periodic Table topper. Taken with UV. From #GWU #Chemistry! @johndhodonoghue @chem13news @RealTimeChem #chemed pic.twitter.com/Jt8EubaXL8

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 17, 2018

On days like these, I miss the sun!
Sun painted by #GWU undergraduate researcher Justin Hachey with E. coli expressing the fluorescent protein, smURFP. Happy #FluorescenceFriday to everyone & bring more light into your life! pic.twitter.com/EVF6ZP5BQJ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 30, 2018

These pics by @erin_rod_phd depict purification from start to finish and won the #RealTimeChem Week Award in #BioChem! Check out the other winning categories here: https://t.co/SJxJouuuXIhttps://t.co/pYsSO5Ndhf

— C&EN (@cenmag) November 23, 2018

Purification of the small Ultra Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP). smURFP is blue in color, but fluoresces red. We use Nickel columns to bind smURFP, wash away other biomolecules, elute the protein, & buffer exchange. The yield of smURFP is 0.5 g! #BioChem #RealTimeChem #Chem4Life pic.twitter.com/i8pkQkLAk3

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 16, 2018

GCMS Forensics Lab. Students identified chemicals on $1 bills, including glycerol, lipids, steroids, & illicit drugs! 2 of 9 $1 bills show traces of cocaine, while 5 of 9 $1 bills showed methamphetamine. #GWU #Chemistry 4123 #AnalyticalChem #ChemEd #RealTimeChem #Chem4Life pic.twitter.com/MeIC9Gswbp

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 13, 2018

Fusion Academy, DC visit to The George Washington University (#GWU) Department of #Chemistry. My lab's fluorescent dye & paint demonstration with undergraduate artwork. #FluorescenceFriday #scienceoutreach #STEMoutreach #STEMDay #YoungResearchers #SciComm #sciart #education pic.twitter.com/sU1d3f7CsE

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 9, 2018

Surprise fluorescence of crushed Women’s Daily Vitamins and Tension Headache Relief pills. Used in #GWU #Chemistry 4123 as samples to determine the concentration of caffeine in pills by HPLC. #FluorescenceFriday #RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/wKvgo2NS1l

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 2, 2018

Happy #Halloween! Enjoy FrankenPumpkin!
A flat bottom flask with a face, drawn by #GWU undergrad, J. Tanen. Chlorophyll extracted from Y. chlorella algae. Chlorophyll is green & gives plants color. Under UV light, chlorophyll fluoresces red! #fluorescencefriday #sciart #SciComm pic.twitter.com/Yj0yfqcqcF

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 26, 2018

Happy Halloween! #JackSkellington, the Pumpkin King, painted with E. coli expressing the fluorescent protein, smURFP. This year celebrates 25 years since #TheNightmareBeforeChristmas premiered in theaters! #nightmarebeforechristmas #FluorescenceFriday pic.twitter.com/COyE7Uajjl

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 19, 2018

Fluorescence of used cooking oil. Under UV light, the oil fluoresces yellow and appears blue under UV and white light. Hopefully, the students can convert this to biodiesel after filtering out the food. #FluorescenceFriday #RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/xyOoQAmygn

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 12, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Images of fixed cells and kidney section labelled with chemical dyes. Taken on our Epifluorescence Microscope. pic.twitter.com/jNwyPhEzyq

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 5, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Measuring fluorescence lifetime of anthracene in ethanol! The fluorescence lifetime was ~4.5 ns and each channel represents 0.053 ns. #GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123, 12 Undergraduates & 1 Graduate TA. #RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/BF9rulZPfa

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) September 28, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Measuring fluorescence lifetime of anthracene in ethanol! The fluorescence lifetime was ~4.5 ns and each channel represents 0.053 ns. #GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123, 12 Undergraduates & 1 Graduate TA. #RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/BF9rulZPfa

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) September 28, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Today, we show school pride for The George Washington University! Raise High the Buff & Blue! GW logo made with E. coli expressing fluorescent proteins smURFP & EGFP by undergraduate researcher Justin Hachey. #GWU @GWtweets @gwucolumbian pic.twitter.com/s23vw678cU

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) September 14, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! I found this bug in our tissue culture room & thought it might be fluorescent because it looks like a scorpion. The specimen is fluorescent under green light, but not UV light, and emits orange light. pic.twitter.com/QOGE5k8oJb

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) September 7, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! The fluorescence of petroleum trapped in quartz! Petroleum glows yellow-green under UV because of aromatic hydrocarbons. An 1898 JACS paper by CL. Rees described “Petroleum Inclusion in Quartz Crystals”, including fluorescence.https://t.co/lJmEDkEmfJ pic.twitter.com/X8DqIYxdW5

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 31, 2018

For this #FluorescenceFriday I would like to honor the memory of Roger Y. Tsien, who passed away 2 years ago on this day. He will never be forgotten and his legacy lives on in all who worked in his lab and use his probes. pic.twitter.com/5XYOYdpNb5

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 24, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Smurfette painted with E. coli expressing the small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (#smURFP) in cyan & Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) in yellow. The inspiration for our #fluorescentprotein name based on color (tube). #smurfs #smurfette #smurf pic.twitter.com/sSHzfiDCQg

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) August 17, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Demogorgan drawn with malachite green (dark green), rhodamine b (reddish pink), and fluorescein (yellow). Sometimes you have to take a walk on the upside-down! #strangerthings #demogorgan #theupsidedown pic.twitter.com/KSu9NSpWra

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 27, 2018

The winter is coming this #FluorescenceFriday! @erin_rod_phd made this painting with malachite green. This is what it looks like (a) digitally colored, (b) with a CCD camera, and (c) to the naked eye. #GoT pic.twitter.com/W67WIPBQvz

— C&EN (@cenmag) July 20, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! The Stark Sigil, from Game of Thrones, painted with Malachite Green (collected fluorescence >710 nm). House Stark motto is “Winter is Coming”. With this heat, I wish Winter was Here! #gameofthrones #thrones #got #stark @GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/ngcpXQsr8K

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 13, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Here are some freely swimming E. coli expressing the far-red fluorescent protein, small ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP). Far-red fluorescence allows for better visualization and tracking than white light. pic.twitter.com/DMsFaNDbLO

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) July 6, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Not exactly fluorescence, but phosphorescent jellyfish! I like to draw on the jellyfish with my UV laser pointer. The jellyfish were given to the Roger Tsien Lab by HHMI @HHMINEWS after Roger's first stroke. I adopted all the orphaned jellyfish. pic.twitter.com/R9LsPbvQFm

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 29, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Blue fluorescence of fluorite. The word fluorescence was coined by George Stokes in 1852 after fluorite, which glows blue under UV light. Fluorite is CaF2 & blue fluorescence is due to europium (1935 Nature: https://t.co/RYBQo60xIG). pic.twitter.com/7YgRI7vxht

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) June 15, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Sulforhodamine B fluorescence reflecting off glass. pic.twitter.com/paK3IsZU6p

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 25, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Here is a #fluorescent scorpion! Fluorescent images are color coded by light used to excite fluorescence: magenta is 365 nm, green is 488 nm, and red is 630 nm. pic.twitter.com/NCsL9znt5a

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 18, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Pictures by @gwhatchet Graeme Sloan for "Chemistry professor crafts fluorescent art using lab materials". Undergraduate, Nadine Lo, and I show the artwork made in #GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123 by 6 Undergrads & 1Grad #womeninSTEM. #GWCCAS https://t.co/yLc82sehgP pic.twitter.com/M9BCtMbjVY

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 11, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Some of my favorite #fluorescent #rocks in my collection: Willemite (NJ) Red & Green, Tremolite Pink, Calcite (MX) White, & Selenite (TX) Yellow. pic.twitter.com/Rjy8wtMUYA

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) May 4, 2018

#GWU Chemistry professor Erik Rodriguez brings the arts and sciences together with his hobby of painting Petri dish portraits with living, fluorescent bacteria #GWCCAS https://t.co/PGegpzYz5r pic.twitter.com/gBRlS3LVEF

— GW Arts & Sciences (@gwucolumbian) May 3, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! A blast from the past! Screening #fluorescentproteins in Roger Y. Tsien’s lab @UCSD. #SciComm #microbiology #science #bacteria #sciart #fluorescentprotein pic.twitter.com/OOjXoa72OB

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 20, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Some of my #fluorescent #rocks in my collection: Apatite (SD), Calcite (NM), Resinous Coal, & Fluorite (UT). pic.twitter.com/a18whibSQJ

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) April 6, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday from #GWU Department of Chemistry! Made in #CHEMISTRY 4123 by 6 undergraduates students & 1 graduate teaching assistant #womeninSTEM. #sciart #scicomm pic.twitter.com/cSatjqAtJ8

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 30, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! My #GWU undergraduate student's (Nadine Lo) #sciart, An Eye for Dye, was featured in @cenmag Chemistry In Pictures! The malachite green is fluorescent at >720 nm (Pictures 2&3), but appears black because the human eye can't see!https://t.co/n7gzVvdveR pic.twitter.com/fSegY5v9ru

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 23, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! In honor of St. Patrick's Day, my favorite #fluorescent green #rocks in my collection: Chalcedony (NE, 1 & 2), Opalite (NM, 3), & Algae Fossil (WY, 4). pic.twitter.com/9ek7pJPq3K

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 16, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Our water bath has a #fluorescent green jellyfish! Look at the jellyfish swim! pic.twitter.com/AVyYNR7G1K

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 9, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Our water bath has a #fluorescent green jellyfish! pic.twitter.com/TxXUZAJ2FE

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) March 9, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday @cenmag, @DrummerBoy2112, and everyone! The word fluorescence is named after fluorite, which glows blue under ultraviolet light. George Stokes named fluorescence from fluorite, in 1852. Fluorite is CaF2. The fluorescence is most likely due to europium. pic.twitter.com/CK5fvLuc4y

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) February 9, 2018

It's alive! The medium for this work by @erin_rod_phd may look like fluorescent paint, but in fact, it's #bacteria expressing #fluorescent proteins! https://t.co/lciluQoInL pic.twitter.com/XhOT8XR8no

— C&EN (@cenmag) January 31, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday @cenmag, @DrummerBoy2112, and everyone! https://t.co/SoNQToHldk

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) January 26, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday @cenmag, @DrummerBoy2112, and everyone! https://t.co/SoNQToHldk

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) January 26, 2018

Happy #FluorescenceFriday @cenmag, @DrummerBoy2112, and everyone! https://t.co/SoNQToHldk

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) January 26, 2018

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123
6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM@BioLegend artwork using leftover fluorescent dyes from experiments & body paint. Thanks @BioLegend for the coloring book!#RealTimeChem #Scicomm #GreenChemistry #Sciart pic.twitter.com/7449QISfFA

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 15, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123 6 Undergrad #womeninSTEM
Last day of classes, why not image! Red - fluorescence on EVOS FL @ThermoFisher. Plant cell wall, silverberry, mouse embryo, & mouse cerebellum#CENchempics #RealTimeChem #microscope #fluorescence #sciart #scicomm pic.twitter.com/ncMX4PwLgs

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 11, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123 6 Undergrad #womeninSTEM
Last day of classes, why not image! White - transmitted & Red - fluorescence on EVOS FL @ThermoFisher. Plant seed, fly wing, dyed feathers, & connective tissue#CENchempics #RealTimeChem #microscope #fluorescence #sciart #scicomm pic.twitter.com/EpTW1Z3Qdg

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) December 11, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123 6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM Painting with #fluorescent dyes! These are left over from experiments. Fluorescein, Sulforhodamine B, & Malachite Green. The Eye is the window to your soul. #CENchempics #RealTimeChem #greenchemistry #art #sciart #science pic.twitter.com/z6twEgAwY3

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 12, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123 6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM Painting with #fluorescent dyes used in lab! These are left over from experiments. Fluorescein, Sulforhodamine B, & Malachite Green. #CENchempics #RealTimeChem #greenchemistry #art #sciart #science pic.twitter.com/ShmCuAkuYp

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 11, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123
6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM
Painting with #fluorescent dyes used in lab! These are left over from experiments.
Fluorescein, Sulforhodamine B, & Malachite Green.#CENchempics #RealTimeChem #greenchemistry #art #sciart #science pic.twitter.com/MUJnoWGEwm

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 10, 2017

I found an Integrating/Ulbricht sphere for our @HScientific Fluoromax 4! Look at all that diffuse #light! #CENchempics #RealTimeChem #ChemTogether #scicomm #Chemistry #Fluorescence #Laser pic.twitter.com/WBnI6vNkwC

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) November 10, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123
6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM

Happy Halloween from The George Washington University!#RealTimeChem #sciart #scicomm pic.twitter.com/5kH0gUVtjS

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 31, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123
6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM

Halloween is approaching fast!#CENchempics #RealTimeChem #sciart #scicomm pic.twitter.com/m0GufCKMEg

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 30, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123
6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM#ChemistryWeek Painting with fluorescent dyes & paints. #CENchempics #RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/Kf6cuJ4O6n

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 26, 2017

#GWU #CHEMISTRY 4123
6 Undergrad & 1Grad #womeninSTEM
In honor of #ChemistryWeek painting with fluorescent dyes. #CENchempics #RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/PxktVnaW6s

— Erik A. Rodriguez (@erin_rod_phd) October 25, 2017