The goal of the project is to explore new methods for precise mechanical actuation of DNA nanostructures by organic molecules and/or polymers that undergo mechanochemical changes. The main objective of the project is to synthesize organic compounds that are mechanically responsive to light, such as azobenzene derivatives, organic oligomers that are mechanically switchable by electrochemistry, or by reactions induced by certain reagents. The compounds may be incorporated in oligomers or polymers and will be conjugated to DNA by automated DNA synthesis. The molecular actuators will be integrated in dynamic DNA nanostructures typically made of DNA origami, to induce actuation.
DNA-Robotics 