DNA-based devices for detection and sensing of biomolecular interactions

Carefully designed DNA molecules can weave together, all by themselves, into complex shapes and structures. One of the approaches for building DNA nanostructures is called DNA origami (after the Japanese art of paper folding). Using DNA origami technique it is possible to build three-dimensional nanostructures of unprecedented complexity. Furthermore, DNA origami structures can be used to bind and arrange other molecules and nanoscale objects, such as, proteins and nanoparticles, with very high precision Within this proposal DNA origami technique will be used to build nanoscale devices for investigation of biomolecular interaction. Such devices would allow development of novel biosensors and will provide new information of important biological processes.