My aim is to investigate a new class of biomaterial called DNA/single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) hybrids. This material, whose properties border between the synthetic and the biological, has found applications in genomics and biotechnology. Our laboratory has proposed an electronic sequencing technology to achieve the $1,000 genome. This technology will use a solid state nanopore device in which SWNTs will be used to confine, orient, and control the translocation of DMA through a nanopore articulated with carbon nanotube probes. My goal is to study the molecular mechanism by which DNA interacts with the surface of a single walled carbon nanotube. My experimental approach is to quantify the sequence and length specificity of DNA association and disassociation with SWNTs by measuring the thermodynamics of the DNA/SWNT interaction in an aqueous environment. Our preliminary results suggest that there exists a sequence dependence to the DNA/SWNT interaction and we will further probe these and other factors, such as DNA conformation, chemical environment, and electrical fields, that may affect the strength of DNA binding to SWNTs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HG004692-02
Application #
7651336
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F14-E (20))
Program Officer
Graham, Bettie
Project Start
2008-06-01
Project End
2011-05-31
Budget Start
2009-06-01
Budget End
2010-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$51,710
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
082359691
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02138
Lu, Bo; Albertorio, Fernando; Hoogerheide, David P et al. (2011) Origins and consequences of velocity fluctuations during DNA passage through a nanopore. Biophys J 101:70-9
Albertorio, Fernando; Hughes, Mary E; Golovchenko, Jene A et al. (2009) Base dependent DNA-carbon nanotube interactions: activation enthalpies and assembly-disassembly control. Nanotechnology 20:395101