(337ac) Colloidal Nanoaggregates - Nanobundles of Information

Exploring ways to harness the power of DNA as a basis for future technologies is of peak interest. The remarkable molecular interactions of DNA have facilitated the development of diverse DNA nanostructures. In our study, we have synthesized stable, well-defined DNA nanoparticles by controlling the relatively high ionic strength. When exposing DNA suspensions to increasing salt environments, we observe the onset of aggregation. This eventually leads to the formation of stable, reproducible and well-defined aggregates at high salt concentrations. They are within the ~200-400 nm size range and were found to remain stable for days and even weeks without any precipitation or degradation. We used dynamic light scattering (DLS) to investigate changes in size and charge of these salt-actuated nanoparticles based on the DNA structure (i.e., minor, and major groove, base stacking, and charged phosphate backbone) and its flexibility and stickiness. The colloidal nanoaggregates of DNA developed in this study can be tuned to serve as stable resources of information storage and the principles can also be applied towards improving the stability of DNA storage in solutions.

Research Interests

My research interest lies in wearable sensors for healthcare monitoring, with a focus on leveraging sweat and interstitial fluid as a valuable source of biomarkers. I am driven to develop innovative and portable sensor technologies that enable real-time, non-invasive health monitoring. Through the development of these assay formats and the integration of advanced analytical techniques, I aim to enhance the sensitivity, specificity, and usability of these sensors, ultimately paving the way for their widespread adoption in healthcare. Additionally, I am interested in the synthesis and manipulation of DNA and RNA-based nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and biomedical applications.