IBEC seminar: Isaac Gállego

DNA Nanotechnology: from its Applications to the Self-Assembly in Alternative Solvents

DNA nanotechnology is a relatively new field that utilizes the DNA’s programmability and self-assembly properties to build custom-designed shapes at the nanometer scale. A common implementation is the DNA origami method, in which a M13 single stranded genome (scaffold) is folded by hundreds of complementary base-paired oligonucleotides (staples). DNA nanostructures have been successfully utilized to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional devices with applications in lithography, photonics, electronics, and the fabrication of inorganic materials. Herein, I will present to you my work on DNA nanotechnology, which includes: i) the development of a biosensor to dsiplay the DNA repair activity hAGT—an enzyme target for the development of cancer therapeutics;1 ii) the transfer a pre-programmed nanosclae pattern of DNA onto gold surfaces, a challenging process useful for the fabrication of functional materials; and iii) the first study of self-assembly of DNA nanostructures in a non-aqueous, alternative solvent, a deep eutectic solvent composed of glycerol and choline chloride in a 4:1 molar ratio (glycholine).2 Glycholine and its hydrated mixtures facilitate DNA folding by alleviating kinetic traps that are often encountered during the folding of DNA structures in aqueous solvent.

1. Tintoré, M., Gállego, I., Manning, B., Eritja, R. & Fàbrega, C. DNA Origami as a DNA Repair Nanosensor at the Single‐Molecule Level. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 52, 7747–7750
2. Gállego, I., Grover, M. A. & Hud, N. V. Folding and Imaging of DNA Nanostructures in Anhydrous and Hydrated Deep-Eutectic Solvents. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 54, 6765–6769 (2015).

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