Exploring DNA origami nanotiles using atomic force microscopy as potential therapeutic delivery vehicles (360G-Wellcome-202499_Z_16_Z)

£2,000

Production of DNA origami nanostructures is a promising approach for creating biocompatible nanomaterials to be used as drug delivery vehicles. The size and shape of these DNA nanostructures can be controlled by rationale design of the sequence of the DNA staple strands relative to the long template strand. We use atomic force microscopy (AFM) of two-dimensional nanotiles to investigate their self-assembly and final structure. Typically, nanotiles are not completely flat due to the helical nature of the DNA, which introduces supercoiling distributed across the nanotile. Certain drugs bind naturally to the DNA double helix, often either in the minor groove or as intercalators, inserting in between the base-pairs. The binding of drugs will affect the helical pitch of the DNA and change the curvature of the nanotiles. We can assess the curvature of the nanotiles by seeing which way up they bind to a model mica surface using the AFM. This project will investigate how binding of drugs into the DNA helix affects the DNA origami structure and shape. This is critical knowledge for rational design of nanotiles as drug delivery vehicles. Recent published studies show that nanotiles readily cross the cell membrane and are ideal candidates as therapeutic carriers.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 2000
Applicant Surname Staunton
Approval Committee Internal Decision Panel for C&S
Award Date 2016-04-01T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2015/16
Grant Programme: Title Vacation Scholarships
Internal ID 202499/Z/16/Z
Lead Applicant Miss Katrina Staunton
Partnership Value 2000
Planned Dates: End Date 2016-08-05T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2016-06-13T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Yorkshire and the Humber