KSI produces DNA origami structures and hybrid structures
Whatâs going on with DeDNAed? We are catching up with our project partners to see what they have achieved, what hurdles they are facing and what impact they expect our project, creating a biosensing platform using DNA origami as a ânano-breadboardâ, to have on the scientific community.
This time we interviewed our parnter KSI Meinsberg. We spoke with Andreas Heerwig, a senior scientist, who is working with Michael Mertig, PI; Alfred Kick, senior scientist; and Christina Schirmer, senior scientist.
What is your role in DeDNAed?
We are responsible for the production of the DNA origami structures and the hybrid structures with the aptamers, antibodies and gold nanoparticles as well.
What are you working on at the moment?
At KSI, we are producing DNA origami and DNA origami hybrid structures for the partnersâ labs to work on measurements. Additionally, we are working on the immobilization of the DNA origami and the hybrid structures on supported lipid bilayers and lipids at the water-air interface.
What have you achieved so far?
We have reached our milestones we had planned. This included the successful synthesis of a DNA origami structure that is capable of positioning all necessary elements of the biosensor in the wanted orientation to each other, as well as the synthesis of DNA origami hybrids with those elements. Now, we are in ongoing production of the DNA origami and hybrid structures.
Have you changed course at all?
Already ahead of time we planned to make a 2nd generation of the DNA origami structure. Also, normally it was not planned that we performed the immobilization on the lipids, but we did so because we had the needed expertise to realize this and support the team.
What do you expect from the final stage of the project?
The next big step will be achieved once we manage to immobilize the DNA at the water-air interface to ultimately transfer the platform to a flexible substrate. We will see if we can manage this in the future.
Will DeDNAed have an impact in your field?
Not at the stage at which we are now, but if we achieve this transfer of the DNA origami to flexible substrates, then this will definitely have an impact in our particular field, as this will be the first ever transfer of large DNA origami/hybrid arrays to flexible substrates.
Â
