Self-Assembly of DNA Dendrimers in the Bulk and at Interfaces

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Ulrich Jonas; Emmanuel Stiakakis, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics ; Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 314332205

The proposal at hand is a joint effort between the Computational Physics group at the University of Vienna and the Soft Matter group at Forschungzentrum Jülich, with the goal of a thorough and systematic investigation of the self-assembly properties of DNA-based dendrimers. These are novel, functional molecules, which can be synthesized in a precise way with full control of their generation number, conformations and flexibility, taking advantage of the highly selective molecular recognition property of DNA. Based on an existing collaboration between the two groups, which employs complementary techniques from experiment and modeling, we will examine the structure and self-assembly properties of DNA-dendrimers in the bulk, including the formation of usual or even cluster crystal phases. Taking advantage of the possibility to adsorb low-generation dendrimers or dendra on the water-air interface, the formation of self-organized, ordered nanostructures on surfaces will be systematically investigated, with the goal of understanding the Physics of self-organization and of providing new pathways for surface functionalization and nanopatterning.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Christos N. Likos