Our laboratory ask how nanometer-sized biomolecules transmit and integrate information across much larger length scales of the orders of cells and tissues. We seek to explore how collections of macromolecules work together to establish a common functional system like cellular pathways, organelles, living cells and further into tissues, organs and entire organisms. Different biomolecules establish long-range orders in living systems by self-assembling into much larger structures, such as molecular complexes, membranes, and cytoskeletal organelles, intra- and inter cellular contacts, and long range contacts. The main theme of our lab will be understand the assembly principles of biological systems and the roles they play in living cells, tissues and full organisms...and further developing technologies to modulate the same. To address these problems, we adapt multidisciplinary, bottom-up approach using DNA nanotechnology. DNA has immense potential to arrange the matter at nanoscale with extreme robustness and spatial specificity. The compatibility of DNA to interface with other biomolecules like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, small molecules make DNA a natural choice of material for bottom up self-assembly. Thus, we will merge the complex programmability of DNA nanotechnology with the structural and functional diversity of other biomolecules. Our interdisciplinary research, along with national and international collaborations with experts, will leverage expertise from chemistry, nanotechnology, biophysics, biology, engineering, and medicine. The overarching goal of the my team would be to translate laboratory findings into the development of new therapeutic strategies. 

Keywords: Structural DNA nanotechnology, 3D cages, Monofunctionalized quantum dots, Single particle tracking, Super resolution live cell microscopy, Biomedical and translational applications.

Apart from DNA nanotechnology as our main focus area, we also venture into carbon based nanomaterials especially carbon quantum dots (CQDs) which have exceptional photophysical and biochemical properties for functionalization and tracking in living systems. You can explore more on this on our startup website - Qnanosol Biotech Pvt Ltd.

Research Areas