DNA: from Biology to Nanoengineering

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DNA has been an active area of research due to its fundamental significance for life. In the past two decades, with the rapid growth of nano- science and technology, a variety of systems have been discovered that integrate DNA with synthetic nanomaterials. Designed nanomaterials have been found to be useful in bioengineering, examples including biosensors based on nanotube and nanowires, nanocarriers for gene therapy, solid-state nanopores for DNA sorting and sequencing. Self-organizing capacity of DNA has also been applied to nanotechnology, for example, to assist in carbon nanotube processing and to form specific topological targets. Experimental development of these novel systems has significantly outpaced theoretical modeling. Thorough understanding on the fundamental interactions of DNA with novel engineered nanomaterials and characterization of the hybrid systems are necessary to determine the parameters governing material behaviors, to provide design principles for optimal performance, and to expedite the progress of finding effective materials and structures for desired applications. In this research program, we plan to model the behaviors of DNA and DNA-related hybrid materials in physiological and non-physiological conditions that are present in modern nanoengineering applications. Through the program, we plan to develop a multi-scale modeling approach suitable for a broad range of systems being used or to be used in nano-assembly, disease diagnostics, drug delivery, biological imaging and sensing. Because the interactions involved in these systems have common physical components, it is expected that the methods and modeling techniques developed in this research program can be extended to assist in the understanding of the behaviors of other novel nano-biomolecular systems, and help their design and engineering towards desired properties, both in Canada and internationally.