Objective Translocation of ions and molecules is ubiquitous in biology and technology. Despite the tremendous amount of technical development, biological systems are still much more sophisticated in exerting exquisite control over active and passive translocation through nanopores in membranes than their existing synthetic mimics. This proposal aims to build novel designer nanopores that can match naturally evolved systems. For this we have to control all three stages of translocation: 1) diffusion and entry into, 2) diffusion in, and 3) exit from the nanopore. To gain fundamental insight into the translocation process we will employ microfluidic channels combined with holographic optical tweezers. Results from the microscale model system will be directly translated to nanoscale pores built with DNA origami nanotechnology. Our microfluidic experiments will automatically track diffusing spherical and non-spherical particles in artificial channels. Facilitated membrane transport will be mimicked by holographic optical tweezers providing full control over the translocation process. We will clarify how translocation depends on particle-particle, particle-channel, and particle-channel-entrance interactions. The generic principles discovered on the microscale will guide the design of artificial nanopores made by DNA origami self-assembly. Our DNA origami based designer nanopores will lead to a novel class of transporters for molecules, ions, and water through solid-state and lipid membranes. The project will generate a quantitative understanding of membrane transport processes, test existing theoretical models with unprecedented experimental control, and introduce a novel approach to design active and passive nanopores built from DNA. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidicsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsengineering and technologynanotechnologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-CoG-2014 - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-CoG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Net EU contribution € 1 936 431,00 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 936 431,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 1 936 431,00 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 936 431,00