William Shih Lab
DNA Origami tools for therapeutics, tissue engineering and drug delivery
DNA nanotechnology affords unprecedented control over macromolecular shape and site-specific functionalization. We are investigating the effect of DNA nanostructure shape, size, and chemical functionalization on the rate of uptake of such particles into cells. As a longer-term challenge, we also seek to design DNA-scaffolded molecular machines that enable controlled passage through biological membranes, by either triggered membrane fusion or triggered membrane pore formation. A long-term challenge is to form 3D scaffolds with programmable structural properties that present bioactive cell-adhesive molecules, morphogens, and growth factors with defined spatiotemporal control and release kinetics so as to produce appropriate chemical gradients and micromechanical cues for directing effective tissue and organ self-assembly both in vitro and in vivo. DNA nanotechnology promises an unprecedented level of spatiotemporal control using a naturally biocompatible and biodegradable material that in principle could be exploited for meeting this challenge. HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship
13-3-13: Maartje received 1 of 9 cross-disciplinary HFSP (Human Frontier in Science Program) postdoctoral fellowships for 3 years of funding to perform research on controlled stimulation of the immune system via virus-inspired DNA origami nano particles at Harvard. http://www.hfsp.org/sites/www.hfsp.org/files/webfm/Communications/HFSP%202013%20fellowship%20press%20release-21032013.pdf http://www.hfsp.org/sites/www.hfsp.org/files/webfm/CDF_awardees_2013.pdf |
Research Summary and Highlights
From November 1st 2012 onward, I will be working as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of William Shih at the Wyss Institute / Dana Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA.
By switching to a new research area, my postdoctoral research will allow me to explore the complex field of bioengineering and biology. I will still be working with self-assembling polymers, DNA this time, but with new challenges in size, analysis techniques and applications. DNA is a perfect programmable nano-material and in DNA-origami a long scaffold strand is assembled with short staple strands into a sheet composed of a parallel array of double helices held together by numerous strand crossovers between helices. Every basepair and coordinate in the assembled architecture is know and can be addressed, which yield this technique superior in the assembly of functionalized monodisperse nanoparticles. I will use DNA origami to assemble virus-like nano-particles that display a controlled arrangement of immunogenic signals and cargo. These adjuvant structures will then be used to study their effect on dentritic cell maturation and immuno-activation, allowing me to learn cell biology and immunology on the way. Rubicon Postdoctoral Fellowship
12-1-2012: Maartje was awarded with a Rubicon Postdoctoral fellowship
http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOP_6H2G7R_Eng http://www.cursor.tue.nl/en/news-article/artikel/rubiconbeurs-voor-onderzoekster-bmt/ |