Speaker: Molly Kozminsky, assistant professor in Iowa State University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Nanovaccine Institute

Title: "Investigating biomedical challenges using DNA-based technology"

Abstract: DNA can serve purposes beyond conveying hereditary information – its highly specific Watson-Crick base pairing can also be used to direct the assembly of cells, nanoparticles, and proteins. High-throughput DNA-directed patterning takes advantage of the versatile and iterative aspects of photolithography to clearly define regions on an aldehyde-functionalized slide to which amine-terminated 20 nucleotide oligonucleotides are conjugated. By tagging antibodies, liposomes, or cells with the complementary oligonucleotide, we can create patterns with high spatial resolution. In this talk, I will demonstrate the versatility of high-throughput DNA-directed patterning through disparate applications, including the immobilization of antibodies, the validation of a liposome model of SARS-CoV-2,and a preliminary in vitro model of the tumor microenvironment. Recent work at ISU to generate more advanced in vitro models of the tumor microenvironment will be highlighted. By controlling the organization of cells with single-cell resolution and the ability to configure heterogeneous cellular environments, DNA-directed patterning presents opportunities in the study of high complexity biomedical challenges.

Host: Maura McGrail, professor in genetics, development and cell biology