Our Research
We use DNA and RNA nanotechnology to engineer biomimetic materials and systems from the bottom-up, i.e. leveraging the predictable interactions of nucleic acids and using concepts of equilibrium and non-equilibrium self-assembly. We are also interested in fundamental aspects of nucleic acids and lipid membrane biophysics. Below are some of our current and recent research projects.
Synthetic Cells
Synthetic Cells or SynCells, are artificial "microrobots" built by combining non-living molecular components from the bottom-up and designed to imitate the behaviours of living cells: communication, metabolism, motion, biocatalysis, division etc.
These devices are useful both to study fundamental biology and for applications, particularly as smart diagnostic/therapeutic solutions. We use DNA and RNA nanotechnology and membrane biophysics to create new solutions for SynCell engineering.
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L. Malouf et al., Chem, 9, 3347, (2023) [LINK]
M. Walczak et al., Adv. Mater., 35, 2301562 (2023) [LINK]
R. Rubio-Sanchez et al., JACS, 145(20), 11265 (2023) [LINK]​​
A. Leathers et al., JACS, 144, 17468 (2022) [LINK]
Designer Condensates
Biomolecular condensates, formed from nucleic acids and proteins, perform complex functions within cells by localising or excluding macromolecules, enzymes, substrates and other agents. Often referred to as membrane-less organelles, these structures are known to regulate complex processes in physiology and disease. Synthetic condensates with specified characteristics could be very valuable to engineer synthetic cells, living cells and control cell-free biocatalysis. We use RNA and DNA to build "designer condensates" with prescribed structure, size, composition, response to stimuli and able to host and regulate enzymatic reactions.
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G. Fabrini et al., Nat. Nanotechnol., 19, 1665 (2024) [LINK]
J. Bucci et al., JACS, 146, 31529 (2024) [LINK]
G. Fabrini et al., Nano Lett., 22, 602 (2022) [LINK]
M. Waczak et al., Nat. Commun., 12, 4743 (2021) [LINK] ​
Membrane Biophysics
We are interested in the physics of synthetic and biological membranes, particularly the behaviour of multi-component lipid membranes undergoing phase separation and interactions between lipid membranes and nucleic acids and between membrane and biomolecular condensates. These studies are valuable to gain insights on the functions of biological cells, to engineer better synthetic cells and improve nanomedical formulations.
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M. Paez-Perez et al., Soft Matter, 18, 7035 (2022) [LINK]
D. Morzy et al., JACS, 143, 7358 (2021) [LINK]
R. Rubio-Sanchez et al., Nano Lett., 21, 2800 (2021) [LINK]
B.M. Mognetti et al., Rep. Prog. Phys., 82, 116601 (2019) [LINK]
DNA Nanotechnology
Nucleic acid nanotechnology leverages the unique physical and chemical properties of DNA and RNA to construct nanoscale devices and constructs, with many applications including sensors, nanomedicine and advanced materials. The group is interested in fundamental aspects of DNA and RNA nanotechnology including how to design nanostructures that can form three-dimensional crystals, how to control strand displacement interactions and how cations modulate the affinity between nucleic acids.
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R.A. Brady et al., JACS, 140, 15384 (2018) [LINK]
R.A. Brady et al., J. Phys. Cond. Matter, 31, 074003 (2019) [LINK]
R.A. Brady et al., Nano Lett., 17, 3276 (2017) [LINK]
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