Abstract: Owing to their inherent biocompatibility and unique biochemical and structural properties, nucleic acid molecules have emerged as materials of choice for biomaterials engineering. Unlike other types of polymers, nucleic acid molecules can be precisely assembled into complex nano- and micro-architectures with high structural fidelity and tailorable properties. In addition, nucleic acid-based structures enable patterning of inorganic and organic molecules with nanoscale precision to create functional biomaterials. While these new biomaterials represent a promising alternative to traditional biomaterials, the complexity of their design and the costs associated with their synthesis have limited their broad use and their full potential has not yet been exploited. In this talk, I will present the work we have done toward developing DNA nanotechnology tools for biomedical applications using two research examples that illustrate the robustness and scalability of our technologies and highlight the advantages of using nucleic acid-based structures for biomedical applications. I will start by presenting a nanoscale platform tool developed to assess the role of nanoscale organization of antigen for rational vaccine design. Then, I will explain how we leveraged hierarchical assembly of DNA motifs to assemble millimeter to centimeter-scale pure DNA hydrogel with tunable physical properties for 3D bioprinting.
Bio: Dr. Remi Veneziano is an associate professor in the Bioengineering Department at George Mason University. His main goal is to develop a highly translational-research program with a focus on designing DNA nanotechnology tools that can be apply to multiple biomedical applications, including targeted delivery of biologics, rational vaccine design, imaging probe design, and synthesis of new composite biomaterials. Prior to joining GMU, he earned a PhD in Health Biology at the University of Montpellier II in France and was a postdoctoral associate at MIT where he worked on various aspect of DNA nanotechnology including the development of a new type of 3D wireframe DNA nanoparticles.
Website: https://volgenau.gmu.edu/profiles/rvenezia
Host: Yun Chen