A DNA NANOtechology toolkit for artificial CELL design

Project description

Artificial cell creation via DNA nanotechnology

A fundamental challenge when creating an artificial cell by synthetic biology is the poor control of replication machinery borrowed from living cells. DNA nanotechnology enables a bottom-up approach for the truly novel design of nanoscale objects through well controlled programmable processes. This EU-funded project will establish a fully integrated platform based on DNA nanotechnology to create a functional artificial cell with the design of DNA-based objects mimicking cellular organelles performing specific functions. These artificial organelles will have capability for self-assembly followed by encapsulation into lipid bilayers compartments resulting in the formation of artificial cells with specific functional characteristics. Applications abound in biosensing and smart therapeutics.

Field of science

/natural sciences/biological sciences/genetics and heredity/dna
/natural sciences/biological sciences/synthetic biology
/engineering and technology/nanotechnology

Funding Scheme

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Host institution

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE

Address

South Kensington Campus Exhibition Road
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

EU contribution

€ 1 497 477

Website

Contact the organisation

Beneficiaries (1)

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE

United Kingdom