Multivalency in DNA-confined spaces
Final Report Abstract
Complex macromolecular structures and processes in nature are facilitated by the coordination of multiple, typically weak, molecular interactions across spatially and temporally defined regions. These interactions are often transient in nature, forming and disrupting dynamically to enable the precise regulation of biological systems. A key characteristic of such processes is their reliance on multivalent interactions, wherein multiple binding sites contribute to the overall stability and functionality of the system. These interactions typically occur within specialized cellular compartments that provide spatial confinement, ensuring proper organization and regulation of physiological activities. While several studies have investigated the individual energetic contributions of multivalency and spatial confinement in model host-guest systems, their combined impact within a single macromolecular complex remains relatively unexplored. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effects of multivalency and spatial confinement on the binding efficiency of a guest molecule within a host structure. Furthermore, it seeks to identify specific system’s parameters that can be optimized to enhance molecular recognition and specificity, thus providing new insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying host-guest interactions.
Publications
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Self‐Assembled Artificial DNA Nanocompartments and Their Bioapplications. Small, 19(13).
Huang, Jing; Gambietz, Sabrina & Saccà, Barbara
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Sequence-dependent folding of monolayered DNA origami domains. Nanoscale, 15(31), 13120-13132.
Gambietz, Sabrina; Stenke, Lena J. & Saccà, Barbara
