Self–assembled DNA liquids: Properties and protein activation - Omar Saleh

From Katie Gentilello April 30th, 2018

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Biomolecules can self-assemble into liquid phases, termed ‘membraneless organelles’ in the biological context, though also known as ‘coacervates’. I will discuss our efforts to study this by exploiting DNA nanotechnology to create DNA particles that phase separate into liquids. Formation of liquids, rather than gel aggregates, depends sensitively on the internal flexibility of the DNA particles. Our engineered system displays unusual properties, including the ability to create several distinct liquid phases in a single solution, and to tailor interactions between the phases. Further, the reduced valency of the particles, along with the relatively stiff nature of the constituent DNA strands, causes the liquid to be extraordinarily sparse, with a DNA volume fraction of only ~2%. This opens the possibility to activate the material by infusion of the liquid with proteins; I will discuss our initial attempts at doing this.

11:50 – 12:30 Omar Saleh, University of California, Santa Barbara.

https://mediaspace.gatech.edu/media/Perry+Ellis+-+OSaleh_SMF_20180419/1_66x8jidj

Tags: symposium on soft matter forefrontscollege of sciencesspring 2018georgia techscience and technology of advanced materials and interfaces (stami)

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Self–assembled DNA liquids: Properties and protein activation - Omar Saleh

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