Date/Time
Date(s) - 20/01/2020
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Title:             Development of DNA-Based Nanostructures for Applications at the Interface withBiology

Date:                  Monday January 20, 2020 

Time:                 1:30 p.m.  

Place:                 ABB 164 

ABSTRACT: 

The structuralcharacteristics of DNA, including its molecular recognition properties, itsprogrammable synthesis and its cooperative assembly into a double helix havegreatly inspired modern sciences. The last three decades have seen the rise ofDNA nanotechnology as an accessible approach to design and assemblewell-defined DNA nanostructures with unprecedented control. Moreover, thebiocompatibility of DNA predisposes it for therapeutic applications, both as adrug and as a selective drug delivery vehicle. However, DNA-based transportersare limited by their low cellular uptake and show rapid degradation in serum.The main goal of this work was to address these shortcomings by developingstrategies that will improve the biological properties of DNA nanostructures.These include 1) modulating their cellular uptake profile with syntheticinsertions, 2) incorporating stimuli-responsive parts to enable the selectivedelivery of drugs and 3) improving the synthesis and incorporation ofbiologically relevant oligonucleotide modifications. Taken together, thesefindings have increased the access to optimized DNA nanostructures forapplications at the interface with biology.