Natural nanomachines rely on biomolecular switches, biomolecules that undergo binding-induced changes in conformation or oligomerization to transduce chemical information into specific biochemical outputs. In order to understand the design principles of these switches, we have developed a synthetic biochemistry approach, which consists in re-creating complex biochemical systems using a simpler, programmable polymer such as DNA. Using this strategy, we have re-created several complex biochemical mechanisms (e.g. induced-fit & conformational selection mechanisms, sequestration mechanism, allosteric cooperativity mechanism, complex cooperativity) in order to understand their thermodynamics and design principles. In my talk, I will explain how a better understanding of these mechanisms significantly helps our efforts to build better switches and nanomachines with applications in sensing and drug delivery.

Recreating biochemistry using DNA

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.