Welcome to the Soft Matter eXperiments Lab

led by Roberto Cerbino!
From exploring the behavior of polymers and colloids to investigating the dynamics of biological systems, we are dedicated to unraveling the complexities of Soft materials. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or an aspiring scientist, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey of discovery.

Latest News

Apr 27, 2026 1 min read
A Great Success - "Lange Nacht der Forschung" 2026 🎉
A Great Success - "Lange Nacht der Forschung" 2026 🎉

Biannual research outreach event across Austria.Read more

Mar 5, 2026 1 min read
Welcome to our new Postdoc!😎
Welcome to our new Postdoc!😎

Zhibo Li joins as the new postdoc of the group.Read more

Feb 16, 2026 2 min read
Student visitors
Student visitors

MSc students selected as part of the VDSP internship.Read more

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Projects

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All Rheology Optics Microscopy Biology
Oct 20, 2025
MechanoSynth
MechanoSynth

Decoding and engineering multiscale mechanoresponses in synthetic and biological tissues

Oct 21, 2024
Transforming Gels Through Training (TRAINGEL)
Transforming Gels Through Training (TRAINGEL)

Training colloidal gels through mechanical solicitation or by altering the interaction between the colloidal particles.

Mar 1, 2022
The Non-Equilibrium Physics of Colloidal Sedimentation
The Non-Equilibrium Physics of Colloidal Sedimentation

The project aims to combine novel quantitative microscopy approaches and advanced computer simulations to capture in full detail the richness of the sedimentation process in model samples.

Jan 1, 2022
Gravitationally TApping Colloids in Space (GTACS)
Gravitationally TApping Colloids in Space (GTACS)

Investigating the connection between velocity fluctuations and concentration fluctuations that occur during the sedimentation of particles in a fluid under microgravitational environment.

Jan 1, 2022
NEUF-DIX project
NEUF-DIX project

NEUF-DIX stands for Non-Equilibrium Fluctuations during Diffusion in Complex Liquids under microgravity conditions.

Apr 27, 2016
FORgreensoft
FORgreensoft

This EU-funded project aims to explore new routes to replace some of the environmentally harmful soft materials from our day to day life with bio-sourced raw materials obtained through eco-friendly processes.

Journal Articles

Jasmin Kaivola, Karolina Punovuori, Megan R. Chastney, Hind Abdo, Gautier Follain, Mathilde Mathieu, Omkar Joshi, Yekaterina A. Miroshnikova, Fabian Krautgasser, Jasmin Di Franco, James R. W. Conway, Sofia Held, Fabien Bertillot, Jaana Hagström, Antti Mäkitie, Heikki Irjala, Sami Ventelä, Hellyeh Hamidi, Giorgio Scita, Roberto Cerbino, Sara A. Wickström, Johanna Ivaska (2026). Restoring the tumour mechanophenotype of vocal fold cancer reverts its malignant properties. Nat. Mater., no. 1 (2026): 1-15.

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Hind Abdo, Leonardo Barzaghi, Yuan Shen, Edoardo Bellini, Emanuele Martini, Serena Magni, Sara Barozzi, Fabrizio Orsenigo, Dario Parazzoli, Galina v. Beznoussenko, Jasmin Di Franco, Fabian Krautgasser, Jasmin Kaivola, Mario Cinquanta, Alessandro Lazzarin, Sara Sigismund, Johanna Ivaska, Roberto Cerbino, Giorgio Scita (2026). De Novo Gene Transcription of Connexin Mediates Cytoplasmic Fluid Exchange and Flocking Transitions in Physiological and Cancerous Epithelial Systems. Adv. Sci. 13, no. 6 (2026): e08648.

PDF Cite DOI

Nikolaos Kalafatakis, Roberto Cerbino (2026). ShearView: A compact stress- and strain-controlled linear rheometer for integrated rheomicroscopy. J. Rheol. 70, no. 1 (2026): 165-181.

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📢 Abstract submission SoR 2026 🎉 Congratulations on Graduation 🚨 New Member alert 📄 Latest publication: ShearView 📢 Abstract submission SoR 2026 🎉 Congratulations on Graduation 🚨 New Member alert 📄 Latest publication: ShearView