DNA-hybrid materials: from supramolecular assembly to applications in catalysts and biosensing

PhD ceremony: Mr. D.K. Prusty, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: DNA-hybrid materials: from supramolecular assembly to applications in catalysts and biosensing

Promotor(s): prof. A. Herrmann

Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Honed by billions of years of evolution and exquisitely programmable, DNA exhibits remarkably specific and versatile molecular recognition and is thus an excellent building block for the creation of self-assembled nanostructures. Fascile functionalization of DNA with diverse class of materials, encompassing synthetic small molecules, fluorophores and polymers open the door to new applications in nanomedicine, diagnostics, catalysis and electronics. This dissertation presents new applications of DNA hybrid materials with a focus on design and continuing the development as molecular-scale building blocks for the fabrication of complex structures exhibiting new functions and activities. A major step in this direction was addressed with the development of new DNA-dye hybrid systems based on switchable, highly emissive molecular fluorophores. Such hybrids have shown to meet the major criteria for the development of biosensing devices, namely low detection limits, high selectivity and easy readout. A new attempt to amplify fluorescent output by means of detection-activated chemical catalysis is also illustrated. It is shown that the research on biosensing and catalytic setups based on DNA hybrid materials has made a step forward towards future applications.