The Biorevolution Podcast

Nature’s origami– DNA nanotechnology

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DNA nanotechnology treats DNA not primarily as a carrier of genetic information, but as a programmable material. Based on the predictability of Watson–Crick base pairing, DNA nanotechnology allows researchers to encode specific structural information. DNA origami, in particular, is an interesting approach for reproducibly folding complex two- and three-dimensional DNA nano-objects. The potential of DNA origami structures shows their versatility, from biosensing and diagnostics to drug delivery, biomaterials, DNA data storage, and computing — even though the field is still at a comparatively early stage, with a number of interesting biotechs emerging. With DNA nanotechnology expert and science writer Marco Lolaico, we discuss the fascinating field of DNA nanotechnology, with structures from DNA smileys to DNA bunnies, to movable DNA machines. We ask Marco how big “huge” is through a nanotech lens, and whether we can expect a Nobel Prize for the technology. Find Marco here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-lolaico/ Find his “Plenty of room” newsletter here: https://plentyofroom.beehiiv.com/ Disclaimer: Louise von Stechow & Andreas Horchler and their guests express their personal opinions, which are founded on research on the respective topics, but do not claim to give medical, investment or even life advice in the podcast. References:

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  7. https://plentyofroom.beehiiv.com/p/molecular-hard-drives-dna-origami-rewrites-data-storage
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  10. Romanov A. DNA origami vaccines program antigen-focused germinal centers. 2026. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adx6291

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