Speaker
Prof.
Friedrich Simmel
(TU Munchen)
Description
The highly predictable interactions between DNA or RNA
molecules have been utilized for the construction of a large
variety of molecular structures and devices. For instance,
the recently developed DNA origami technique facilitates the
molecular assembly of two- and even three-dimensional
nano-objects with almost arbitrary shape - and with
nanometric precision. These structures can be used as
molecular scaffolds for the arrangement of nanoscale objects
such as nanoparticles or proteins into specific geometries.
Such assemblies may help to exploit distance or geometry
dependent - chemical or physical - interactions between
these components. In addition to the realization of static
molecular nanostructures one of the major promises of
molecular nanotechnology is the creation of dynamic
molecular assemblies such as molecular switches, actuators,
and biochemical circuits. A few examples of such assemblies
will be described, and also our recent attempts to
characterize these structures with fluorescence microscopic
techniques.
Primary author
Prof.
Friedrich Simmel
(TU Munchen)
