Friedrich Simmel (TU Munich, Germany)

Molecular Devices Based on Nucleic Acids

Over the past years, DNA nanotechnology has developed tremendously, and it is now possible to create nanoscale molecular devices of considerable complexity. After a general introduction to the field, we will here demonstrate a variety of machine-like devices based on DNA such as DNA-based membrane channels, large rotaxane structures, "robot arms", etc. We will also briefly discuss molecular switches based on RNA and their operation inside of cells.