Research Projects
Da Vinci-inspired DNA nanostructure design and analysis by cryo-electron microscopy


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☑ MRes[Med] ☑ URIS

DNA nanostructures can be designed using techniques originating from paper origami. We have built several Platonic polyhedral structures, many inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, and have preliminary data that these can be built and structures can be solved by cryo Electron Microscropy and other techniques. These structures have applications in drug delivery and imaging, and might also underpin a new method for regular molecular display to solve structures of small nucleic acids and peptides through cryo-EM. This is an exciting project and you would be working alongside a strong team developing the technique of cryo-EM as applied to DNA nanostructures, with significant opportunity to think across disciplines of geometry, art, medicine, chemistry and physics.

Professor JA Tanner, School of Biomedical Sciences

Julian Tanner has expertise in chemical biology, nucleic acids and directed evolution. He leads a team at HKUMed and at the Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre at the Science Park in applying nucleic acid aptamers in diagnostics and therapeutics, and in developing DNA nanostructures for biomedical applications. 

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
Lab Homepage
ORCID
jatanner@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ School of Biomedical Sciences