Diamondoid-functionalized nanopores as biosensors (C09*)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 17546514

The subproject will investigate functionalized electrodes for nanopore sequencing technology. Within this setup, DNA bases translocate through a nanopore giving rise to a transverse tunneling current. The specific interaction of the functionalized molecule, chosen here as a diamondoid, each DNA base is expected to enhance the tunneling signals and lead to an error-free DNA sequencing. We aim to optimize the nanopore for biosensing applications, by attaching a diamondoid on gold electrodes, and study the nanopore stability, its electronic and transport properties, as well as the effect of a surrounding solvent. The study will be carried out using quantum-mechanical, classical, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 716: Dynamic Simulation of Systems with Large Particle Numbers
• Applicant Institution: Universität Stuttgart
• Project Head: Professorin Maria Fyta, Ph.D.