Mechanical breeding of DNA/RNA sequences (A04)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2012 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 201269156

In biology, evolution selects sequences based on a desired function. We will implement this logic purely mechanically in a microfluidic parkour. We utilize the recently found sedimentation of oligonucleotides: sequences as short as 36mers were found to sediment spontaneously within minutes after cooling by forming millimeter-sized hydrogel-like phases. Starting from random and biased pools, we will explore various mechanical selection strategies in a range of microscale Nonequilibria. Starting from random pools, we will analyse the selected sequence pool by Illumina sequencing. We will target the selection of ligation function and the binding of RNA to short peptides.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1032: Nanoagents for Spatio-temporal Control of Molecular and Cellular Reactions
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Dieter Braun