Photo-reconfiguration of Topological DNA Origami Nanostructures

非技术：该奖项由普渡大学材料研究部生物材料项目颁发，旨在开发基于dna的折纸自组装合成分子拓扑的新原理。基于dna的折纸就像基于纸的折纸一样，折叠和塑造成不同的形式。该奖项的重点是准备基于dna的几何图形，其特性不会因拉伸、弯曲和/或扭曲等机械变形而改变。一般来说，拓扑结构是几何理论的物理表示。分子拓扑结构和相关形状变化机制的研究可以促进包括数学、化学和材料科学在内的几个科学学科的发展，也可以导致革命性的工程策略。本研究将通过利用DNA自组装的优异可编程性和可预测性，展示一类新的大分子拓扑结构及其相关的形状变化机制。该奖项支持通过DNA自组装开发合成分子拓扑新原理的基础研究，重点是使用外部光照射可编程重新配置。该项目的更广泛的科学影响可能是开发在移动纳米设备、生物物理工具、合成分子马达、环境/生化传感器、DNA计算和药物输送系统中具有潜在应用的新技术。这个项目将把研究工作与教育和推广活动结合起来，旨在提高公众对生物分子纳米技术的认识。外展和教育活动包括开发新的动手模块DNA自组装。PI将在个人层面积极参与招募女性和少数族裔学生，并通过普渡大学的女性工程和少数族裔工程项目等全校范围内的项目。技术：生物分子拓扑结构在自然界是丰富的。它们的结构和重构机制对生物分子和细胞性质和功能具有重要意义。相比之下，合成分子的拓扑结构及其动态结构转变仍然具有挑战性，尽管在过去的二十年中做出了巨大的努力。本研究旨在开发新的科学知识和策略，以dna折纸为基础的大分子合成拓扑结构，能够按需进行结构转换，特别是响应外部光信号。该项目的三个目标是：1)构建拓扑DNA折纸纳米结构；2)通过光控碱基配对演示按需重构；3)阐明光激活插层的形状变化机制。提出的研究结果包括光调节形状变化机制的新原理，包括光控制碱基配对和光激活插层。此外，该奖项有望通过结合实验和理论研究来阐明结构刚度与机械变形所需的必要能量来源之间的相关性。这些动力学的重新配置将作为光响应剂和转换模式（如拉伸，弯曲和扭曲）以及拓扑设计和环境的功能进行检查。如果成功，这项研究可能会通过为结构适应性材料提供新的原理和技术来改变科学界和工业界，这些材料可以被编程来执行特定的任务。这个跨学科的项目将有助于扩大弱势群体在前沿研究中的参与，其中一些是通过全校范围的活动进行的。该项目由物理和数学科学理事会材料研究部的生物材料和生物ap计划以及生物科学理事会分子和细胞生物科学部的遗传机制集群和分子生物物理集群共同支持。

Non-Technical:This award by the Biomaterials Program in the Division of Materials Research to Purdue University is to develop new principles for synthetic molecular topologies from DNA-based origami self-assembly. DNA-based origami is just like paper-based origami of folding and shaping into different forms. The focus of this award is in preparing DNA-based geometric figures with properties that are not changed by mechanical deformations such as stretching, bending, and/or twisting. Topological structures, in general, they are physical representations of geometrical theories. Studies of molecular topologies and relevant shape-changing mechanisms could advance several scientific disciplines including mathematics, chemistry, and materials sciences, and also lead to revolutionary engineering strategies. This research will demonstrate a new class of macromolecular topologies and their relevant shape-changing mechanisms, by exploiting the excellent programmability and predictability of DNA self-assembly. This award supports fundamental research in developing new principles for synthetic molecular topologies via DNA self-assembly with a focus on programmable reconfigurations using external light irradiation. The scientific broader impact of the project could be in developing novel technologies with potential applications in mobile nano-devices, biophysical tools, synthetic molecular motors, environmental/ biochemical sensors, DNA computations, and drug delivery systems. This project will integrate research efforts with educational and outreach activities designed to advance the public understanding of biomolecular nanotechnology. Outreach and educational activities include development of a new hands-on module on DNA self-assembly. The PI will be actively involved in recruiting female and underrepresented minority students at the individual level as well as through campus-wide programs such as Women in Engineering and Minority Engineering Programs at Purdue University.Technical:Biomolecular topologies are abundant in nature. Their structures and reconfiguration mechanisms have significant implications in biomolecular and cellular properties and functions. In contrast, synthetic molecular topologies and their dynamic structural transformation remain challenging despite significant efforts in the past two decades. This research aims in developing novel scientific knowledge and strategies for DNA-origami based macromolecular synthetic topologies capable of on-demand structural transformation, particularly in response to external light signals. The three objectives of the project are to: 1) construct topological DNA origami nanostructures; 2) demonstrate on-demand reconfiguration by photo-controlled base-pairing; and 3) elucidate shape-changing mechanisms of photo-activated intercalation. The outcome of the proposed studies includes new principles of photo-regulated shape-changing mechanisms including photo-controlled base pairing and photo-activated intercalation. Furthermore, this award is expected to elucidate the correlations between structural rigidity, and the necessary energy sources required for the mechanical deformations through combined experimental and theoretical studies. These reconfiguration of dynamics will be examined as functions of photo-responsive agents and transformation modes such as stretching, bending and twisting, as well as topological designs and environments. If successful, this research may transform both scientific community and industry by providing new principles and technologies for structurally adaptable materials which can be programmed to perform specific tasks. This interdisciplinary program will help broaden participation of underrepresented groups in cutting-edge research, some of them through campus-wide activities.This project is jointly supported by the Biomaterials and BioMaPS Programs of the Division of Materials Research in the Directorate for Physical and Mathematical Sciences, and the Genetic Mechanism Cluster and the Molecular Biophysics Cluster of the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division in the Directorate for Biological Sciences.