Mechanical Properties of G-Quadruplexes

Project of Gerhard Blab

Hello and welcome to the Blab-Lab at the Debye Institute at Utrecht University. I am interested in the mechanical properties of nano materials, with an eye on using them as building blocks for future nano-sized machines. My main focus lies on understanding the dynamics of non-standard DNA structures such as G-Quadruplex DNA and DNA origami. This group of self-assembling molecules has shown great promise as both structural componentents for nano-scale construction, as well as some indication that one can build DNA-wires or chemo-electric sensor elements from them. G-Quadruplexes are also playing a role in DNA regulation and are thus a pharmaceutical drug target.