The aim of this project is to develop DNA-origami–assisted fluorescence enhancement, combining the high signal amplification enabled by plasmonic DNA-origami nanoantennas with the functional capabilities of proteins and enzymes. Previous studies have optimized antenna geometry, dye selection, and achievable fluorescence enhancement factors. This project addresses the key challenge of precisely positioning functional proteins within the fluorescence hotspot while maintaining their full biological activity. Successfully doing so will unlock a broad range of applications. For example, localizing DNA polymerases at the hotspot could enable next-generation DNA sequencing, offering substantially higher throughput at significantly lower cost compared with current technologies.
Moreover, incorporating DNA translocases within or near the hotspot can create synthetic nanopore systems, enabling ultra-sensitive sequencing of DNA – and potentially proteins – with unprecedented resolution and speed.