Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-05-30

Nanomachines based on interlocked DNA architectures

Objective

DNA-nanotechnology has created different topologies, including replicable ones, nanomachines, patterns, logic gates, or algorithmic assemblies. Interlocked double-stranded (ds) DNA-architectures like catenanes or rotaxanes, wherein individual components can be set in motion in a controlled manner have not been accessible. These molecules represent long-sought devices for nanorobotics and nanomechanics because they possess a unique mechanical bonding motif, not available to conventional building blocks. The project will apply an unprecedented, simple, and modular interlocking paradigm for double-stranded (ds) circular DNA geometries that we have developed in preliminary studies. This will now be taken several crucial steps forward by generating unconventional DNA-, protein-, aptamer-, and ribozyme hybrid architectures containing interlocked structures wherein the motion of individual components can be controlled in many different ways. We will design, construct, and evaluate switchable autonomous DNA-nanomachines that function as rotational motors, muscles, or switches for powering and manipulating nanoscale components. The DNA machines envisaged in this project will be applied, for example, in synthetic supramolecular self-assembly systems that emulate complex biological machines like motor proteins, nucleic acid polymerases, or ATPases. In addition, they will be developed for multiple purposes in biosensing, logic-gate- and memory circuit assembly, and catalysis. This efficient method for constructing interlocked dsDNA nanostructures opens the exciting possibility of conjoining the area of lifesciences with that of nanomechanical engineering, paving entirely new avenues for nanotechnology. The project is highly interdisciplinary and will open a new field with enormous innovative potential and implications ranging from chemistry to synthetic biology, and from the life sciences to nano-engineering.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2010-AdG_20100224
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant

Host institution

RHEINISCHE FRIEDRICH-WILHELMS-UNIVERSITAT BONN
EU contribution
€ 2 499 522,00
Address
REGINA PACIS WEG 3
53113 BONN
Germany

See on map

Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Bonn, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0