Daniel Schiffels

German

Functionalization of DNA origami structures

We are interested in engineering functional DNA devices using the DNA origami method. Those devices will enable a powerful new approach to the development of tools for cellular and molecular biology studies. 

In particular we are interested in a better mechanical understanding of the transport of objects from the exterior of the cell to the endosome or the cytosol which is likely to accelerate development of concerted drug delivery techniques.

We are therefore working on vesicle encapsulated mechanotransducers that can be targeted to the endocytic pathway and report on the mechanical stresses throughout. For optimum optical readout we use fluorescent DNA-silver clusters that can be precisely positioned on DNA origami structures.