Dissertation Defense: Force Sensing Applications of DNA Origami Nanomachines

Michael Hudoba, PhD Candidate, Mechanical Engineering

All dates for this event occur in the past.

E339 Scott Lab
E339 Scott Lab
201 W. 19th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

Committee Members

  • Assistant Professor Carlos Castro, Chair
  • Professor Michael Poirier
  • Assistant Professor Soheil Soghrati
  • Assistant Professor Jonathan Song

Abstract

Mechanical forces in biological systems vary in both length and magnitude by orders of magnitude making them difficult to probe and characterize with existing experimental methodologies. Although single-molecule techniques such as optical traps, magnetic tweezers, and atomic force microscopy have improved the resolution and sensitivity of such measurements, inherent drawbacks exist in their capabilities due to the nature of the tools themselves. Specifically, these techniques have limitations in their ability to measure forces in realistic cellular environments and in vivo applications. In this thesis, we present a method to develop DNA force-sensing nanomachines with sub-picoNewton resolution capable of measuring forces in realistic cellular environments, with future applications in vivo. We use a design technique known as DNA origami to assemble devices with nanoscale geometric precision through molecular self-assembly via Watson- Crick base pairing. The devices have multiple conformational states, monitored by observing a Föster Resonance Energy Transfer signal that can change under the application of force.