University of Tartu, Estonia
DNA origami-directed liposome biohybrid assemblies
In this project we will apply DNA:RNA origami and liposome technologies in programmable hybrid liposome assemblies and vesicular architectures that can be further adjusted for biomedical and bioengineering applications, including biocatalytic control, disease-specific drug delivery, or tissue-specific gene transfer. The expected results include the formation of DNA origami-modulated liposomal building blocks and the channelling of cargo materials between liposomal containers or between liposomes and cells using molecular gating systems.
Shihab Ud Dowla
Doctoral candidate
Hey! My name is Shihab and I obtained my master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety from the University of Helsinki in 2025. My thesis was carried out in the Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology group, where I developed and optimized pH-sensitive liposomes based on ionizable lipids for antibiotic delivery. Later, I worked in the same group as a research assistant on two different projects, one focused on using platelets as drug delivery systems and the other focused on combining aptamer gated DNA nanopores with liposomes for targeted release of antibiotics Before that, I earned my Bachelor of Pharmacy from BRAC University and gained professional experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
I am excited to start my PhD journey in the Molecular Nanotechnology group led by Assoc. Prof. Veikko Linko at the University of Tartu. Here I will learn to design and prepare more complex DNA and RNA origami structures and use them to precisely functionalize liposomes for biochemical reactions, cell-specific gene delivery and finally, for targeted drug delivery which has always been my research focus for the past few years.
Outside the lab I play badminton and football whenever I get the chance. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out to me on my email. I am always happy to talk about the work or discuss a possible collaboration.
Planned Secondments
Technical University Dortmund
Prof. Amelie Heuer-Jungemann Lab, Hybrid Bionanosystems
SISSA Trieste
Prof. Cristian Micheletti Group, Molecular and Statistical Biophysics
