Accessible DNA nanotechnology

Dr. jB’s accessible DNA nanotechnology activities transform cutting-edge research into engaging, hands-on learning experiences that empower students to think like scientists from day one. By leveraging DNA as a low-cost, safe, and programmable material, students design and build nanoscale structures through DNA origami, bringing abstract molecular concepts to life. They explore function by integrating DNAzymes to catalyze visible color-changing reactions, connecting molecular design to real chemical reactivity. Through the formation of DNA condensates using self-assembling nanostars, students investigate phase behavior, intermolecular forces, and emergent properties in real time using fluorescence microscopy. Complementing wet-lab work, molecular visualization tools such as oxDNA, oxView, PyMOL, and Chimera allow students to model, predict, and refine their designs in silico. Together, these activities create an accessible, interdisciplinary platform where students engage in authentic research, develop technical and computational skills, and gain confidence as contributors to the future of molecular engineering and biotechnology.