Unviersity of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy

DNA-protein hybrids for tracking and sensing biochemical cues

In this project we will use DNA-protein conjugates to build DNA-based structures and assemblies that can have different applications in sensing and drug-delivery. In one example, enzyme-conjugated DNA-based assemblies will be designed to self-propel in fluid in the presence of specific chemical cues. The DNA-enzyme hybrid nanostructures will be also decorated with sensing elements (i.e. recognition elements such as antigens, aptamers, etc) so that they will be able to sense their environment during their propulsion movement and provide a measurable optical signal (fluorescence). During the project we will investigate different geometries for the nanostructures ranging from simple tubular structures to more complex 3D shapes. The possibility to use different enzymes and to control in a programmable way the surface enzyme density will also be studied as a way to optimise propulsion. The use of strand displacement reactions to control the movement of the structure on the fly will also be studied.

Prof. Francesco Ricci

Principal Investigator

Dongsheng Li

Doctoral candidate

Planned Secondments

Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich

Prof. Philip Tinnefeld Group, Nanobiosciences

Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich

Prof. Ralf Jungmann Group, Molecular Imaging and Bionanotechnology

Technical University Munich

Prof. Friedrich Simmel Lab, Physics of Synthetic Biological Systems

University of Cambridge

Prof. Lorenzo Di Michele Lab, Artificial Cells, Soft Matter and DNA Nanotechnology