Prof. Dr. Philip Tinnefeld, Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie
Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany

Sensing enhanced by DNA nanotech

In recent years, DNA nanotechnology has matured to enable robust production of complex nanostructures and hybrid materials. We have combined DNA nanotechnology with sensitive optical detection to create functional single-molecule devices that enable new applications in single-molecule biosensing and superresolution microscopy. Starting with superresolution nanorulers and brightness reference samples we determined the resolving power of superresolution microscopes and evaluated the sensitivity of smartphone cameras.

To improve the sensitivity, we created DNA origami optical antennas for metal enhanced fluorescence. The unique ability of our DNA origami nanoantennas to place molecular assays specifically in the plasmonic hotspot is used for detecting Zika-virus and antibiotic resistance related nucleic acids. Furthermore, DNA origamis are used in biophysical assays to work at locally increased concentrations, to apply forces as well as to sense further physical parameters.

Host: Associate Professor Victoria Birkedal, iNANO & Dept. of Chemistry, AU