Nanobiotechnology and nucleic acids
The Howorka group at University College London is excited about membrane nanopores and study, for example, protein pores of pathogenic bacteria to understand their role as gateway for transport across lipid bilayers. In addition, new synthetic pores composed of DNA are engineered to achieve unprecedented molecular control for applications in biosensing, targeted cell killing, and synthetic biology. We also enjoy developing new nucleic acids probes and linker chemistries to enable new discoveries in biological research.
Selected publications
A Biomimetic DNA-based Channel for the Ligand-Controlled Transport of Charged Molecular Cargo Across a Biological Membrane
Burns, J.R., Seifert, A., Fertig, A., Howorka S.
Nature Nanotechnology (2016) 11 (2):152-56
Building membrane nanopores
Howorka, S.
Nature Nanotechnology (2017) 12 (7):619-630
Changing of the Guard: DNA Nanostructures Mimic Membrane Proteins
Howorka, S.
Science (2016) 352 (6288):890-891