Developing DNA-Based Molecular Robots

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R16 · $92,927 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

This proposal seeks funding to acquire state-of-the-art THUNDER Imager Model Organism equipment that will be used to expand the scope of the funded NIH project in PI's laboratory. PI's team plans to extend the current in-vitro studies to in-vivo, which is a significant step in achieving PI's long-term goal of generating autonomous robots that move along the body, detect diseases, report them, and provide therapeutics as needed. As the team’s research expands, the project's complementary aims emerge: understanding DNA nanorobot’s endosomal escape, receptor recognition, in-vivo circulation, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Our team aims to include additional studies to characterize DNA robots in more complex in-vivo environments. Therefore, the need for a dedicated model animal imaging instrument for the project has become imminent, and the THUNDER Imager Model Organism will enable our team to conduct these studies more efficiently.

Key facts

NIH application ID
11037113
Project number
3R16GM145671-03S1
Recipient
NORTH CAROLINA AGRI & TECH ST UNIV
Principal Investigator
Reza Zadegan
Activity code
R16
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$92,927
Award type
3
Project period
2022-06-01 → 2026-05-31