SPAtially-Controlled lIgand arraNGement by origami-based nanoprinters

Project Information

SPACING

Grant agreement ID: 950421

DOI

10.3030/950421

EC signature date 3 November 2020

Start date 1 April 2021

End date 30 September 2027

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 1 498 866,00

EU contribution

€ 1 498 866,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SPACING (SPAtially-Controlled lIgand arraNGement by origami-based nanoprinters)

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SPACING project aims to develop a new technology for surface functionalization of colloids with control over the number and the spatial disposition of the ligands. Currently, the we-chemistry methods are not allowing to have this control in the colloids modification. Thus, we propose the production of nanoprinters built with DNA (DNA-origamis) that will serve to precisely modified colloids (i.e. gold nanoparticles, as a model). This technology is expected to be used for any colloid as the nanoprinters can be fully customized.

Upon the development of this technology, colloids´libraries will be developed to study their biological behavior in different models. The systematic study of what is the role of the spatial distribution of bioactive molecules in colloids will allow us to understand better processes involving receptor-recognitions, and some intracellular processes such as the endosomal scape or some recycling process.

We expect that this technology will allow for the development of rational rules for the development of more efficient nanomedicines.
Currently, we have developed some models of nanoprinters capable of transferring to gold nanoparticles a controlled number of DNA strands with a defined spatial configuration allowing us to demonstrate the principle.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

SPACING project aims to develop a new technology for surface functionalization of colloids with control over the number and the spatial disposition of the ligands. Currently, the we-chemistry methods are not allowing to have this control in the colloids modification. Thus, we propose the production of nanoprinters built with DNA (DNA-origamis) that will serve to precisely modified colloids (i.e. gold nanoparticles, as a model). This technology is expected to be used for any colloid as the nanoprinters can be fully customized.

Upon the development of this technology, colloids´libraries will be developed to study their biological behavior in different models. The systematic study of what is the role of the spatial distribution of bioactive molecules in colloids will allow us to understand better processes involving receptor-recognitions, and some intracellular processes such as the endosomal scape or some recycling process.

We expect that this technology will allow for the development of rational rules for the development of more efficient nanomedicines.
Currently, we have developed some models of nanoprinters capable of transferring to gold nanoparticles a controlled number of DNA strands with a defined spatial configuration allowing us to demonstrate the principle

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We expect that this technology will move forward the existing capabilities for tuning colloid´s surfaces. We aim to develop a user-friendly, robust technology easily used in many laboratories.
The technology will offer the possibility of produce colloid with extremely define composition that could be used in bioapplications, but also for electronics, to produce metamaterials, etc.