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ABOUT THIS EVENT

In the last years, DNA nanotechnology has inspired researchers from a wide range of disciplines to develop novel technologies. The possibility to design objects in the nanoscale facilitated very promising applications as e.g. cancer therapeutics and catalytic compartments [1,2]. In the highly ambitious H2020 FETopen project MARA, we are refining such applications and are developing DNA nanostructures that comprise catalytic sites of proteins and nanobots that target bacterial cells [3]. For the design of such structures, the new software tool ADENTIA was developed within the project. It is implemented in the SAMSON Connect framework that enables the atomic-based modeling and simulation of nanosystems using a GUI and personal computer. In addition to a new multiscale visualization concept (incl. 1D, 2D, 3D) that facilitates the inspection and modification of DNA nanostructures [4], a data model was developed that can be exported for ox DNA simulations. Among other structures, DNA-based rotors were designed and their functionality evaluated in the laboratory.

Prior to medical applications, such DNA nanostructures have to be biologically stabilized in order to resist nucleases and physiological buffers. In our research group, we have developed such coatings and demonstrated that its compatible with surface functionalization [5]. In another part of this project, a novel approach was developed aiming for DNA nanostructures comprising the catalytic site of the FlaI motor protein of the archaeallum. In this oral presentation, I would like to give an overview of the MARA project including published and preliminary results.

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