Molecular biophysicist Zygmunt “Karol” Gryczynski wins inaugural medal

CaptureChances are you’ve heard of Luminol, the brand name product that detects minute traces of blood and is a common theme in television crime shows such as CSI. But did you know that the science behind Luminol is fluorescence? Fluorescence is one of the few methods that allow scientists to detect a single molecule and monitor complex processes in a living cell by detecting different color fluorescent lights. In the case of Luminol, it reacts with blood on any surface and responds with a visible bluish light.

Dr. Zygmunt “Karol” Gryczynski, professor of biomedical physics at TCU, has been studying biophysics and working with fluorescence for decades. In fact, Gryczynski is the winner of the inaugural Medal of the Polish Biophysical Society for his contributions to the field.

GryczynskiZygmunt-120x160

Dr. Zygmunt “Karol” Gryczynski

The award, created in memory of Dr. David Shugar, one of the most respected biophysicists of the 20th Century, was presented to Gryczynski in June at the Annual Meeting of the Polish Biophysical Society.

Biophysics bridges biology and physics, allowing biophysicists to study every level of life, from molecules to cells to organisms to environments. Gryczynski began working with fluorescence in Poland in the 1980s and continued his work at the University of Maryland, the University of North Texas Health Science Center and now TCU. His primary focus is developing fluorescence technologies and fluorescence probes to study proteins in key physiological pathways and DNA to develop new genome sequencing methods. Gryczysnki is currently working with members of the Chemistry Department to develop new probes that utilize fluorescence to monitor viscosity on a cellular level. One of these applications monitors the development and secretion of mucus, a research method that could lead to new innovative treatments for cystic fibrosis, allergies, asthma and even certain cancers.

“Fluorescence allows scientists to detect the physiology of diseases in early stages so that we can identify ways to prevent such health issues from even developing,” said Gryczynski. “It’s non-invasive, fast and precise, and is quickly becoming a preferred diagnostic and imaging technology versus radioactive procedures, X-rays and CT scans.”

Moreover, fluorescence is used for security purposes within driver licenses and passports. Don’t believe it? Hold your driver license under a black light and an intricate design not visible to the naked eye will glow in the dark.

Gryczynski holds a master’s degree in experimental physics and a Ph.D. in spectroscopy from the University of Gdansk. He has served as the W.A. “Tex” Moncrief, Jr. Chair and Professor of Physics at TCU since 2010 and as the director of the Center for Fluorescence Technologies and Nanomedicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center since 2006. He remains a visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom, and an adjunct professor at the University of Shimane in Japan. Gryczynski is a published author and a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Experimental Biology and Medicine and Methods and Applications in Fluorescence.