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DNA Origami Breadboard: A Platform for Cell Activation and Cell Membrane Functionalization

Mollica, Molly Y.

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Mechanical Engineering.
Structural DNA Nanotechnology (“DNA origami”) techniques have enabled the design and synthesis of complex 3D nanostructures with dynamically controllable features that exploit molecular self-assembly principles. Any component that can be conjugated to an oligonucleotide (oligo) can be attached to a DNA nanostructure at a specific location and quantity with nanometer resolution. This includes some fluorescent dyes, quenchers, peptides, RNA, steroids, vitamins, and, by extension, all molecules capable of biotinylation. A DNA origami “breadboard” with 34 strategically located attachment points can therefore be functionalized with a wide variety of components and used for a multitude of purposes. In this thesis, the design, fabrication, purification, characterization, and application of a 68 x 25 x 6 nanometer honeycomb lattice DNA nanostructure will be presented for use in two distinct functions. In the first, a biotinylated antibody was added to the platform and used to better mimic a cell-to-cell receptor-ligand interaction with tunable antibody quantity, location, and flexibility (i.e. range of motion). This led to determination that ligand flexibility, which can be controlled using DNA origami, influences strength of cell activation. In the second, cholesterol-modified oligonucleotides were added to cells and used to anchor the nanostructures onto the cell surface. The ability to integrate DNA origami nanostructures into a cell membrane can enable a wide variety of applications such as a intracellular force sensing, programmed cell-cell adhesion, or triggered recruiting of biomolecules from solution.
Carlos Castro (Advisor)
Jonathan Song (Committee Member)
119 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mollica, M. Y. (2016). DNA Origami Breadboard: A Platform for Cell Activation and Cell Membrane Functionalization [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461163132

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mollica, Molly. DNA Origami Breadboard: A Platform for Cell Activation and Cell Membrane Functionalization. 2016. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461163132.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mollica, Molly. "DNA Origami Breadboard: A Platform for Cell Activation and Cell Membrane Functionalization." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461163132

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)